HPD: Driver high on PCP slams into car, killing two

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A driver suspected of being high on the drug PCP is charged with a killing a couple in a horrible early Monday morning collision. We've also learned that suspect already had a court date in two weeks for another crime he's charged with committing.

From the broken water line to the damaged light poles and phone booth, there is a lot of evidence that something violent happened just outside a southwest Houston gas station.

Police say the man who caused it was 33 year old Theodore Hargrove, 33, whose blood test revealed was high on the drug PCP when he ran a red light on the Southwest Freeway feeder road at Kirby, and ran into another car waiting to leave the parking lot.

HPD Sgt. S. Sorge said, "He side-impacted the vehicle at a high rate of speed. Two occupants inside the vehicle died on the scene.

Hargrove will go before a judge at the criminal courthouse on charges that he killed the couple. But it's not the first time Hargrove has been in trouble. He has a long criminal history, beginning with a robbery charge when he was 18. Three years later he was indicted twice for murder. Those charges were dismissed.

But Hargrove served time behind bars for evading arrest, drugs, and driving with a suspended license. He was due in court again in just two weeks for allegedly running from a METRO police officer in January of this year. He was out on bond when the double fatality happened.

"It's the worst kind of situation," Sgt. Sorge said. "You know, just over here trying to make some purchases at the gas station, and their lives were tragically ended so quickly."

The medical examiner's office tells me they have identified the two victims as Ricardo Quinton and Meagan Jones. There is no cause of death listed on either victim at this point.

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Man in prison for 20-year-old killing denied parole again

John Buice was denied parole on Friday.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man in prison for the 1991 killing of a gay Houston man has again been denied parole.

John Buice stabbed Paul Broussard while out with other teens accused of going on a gay-bashing spree. Broussard died from his injuries and in 1992, Buice was convicted and sentenced to 45 years behind bars.

On Friday, a review panel of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted to deny parole for Buice.

Just last year, Buice was granted parole, but based on evidence that remains confidential, the board reversed its decision.

Now, Buice has been denied another shot at freedom. He'll be eligible again in one year.

Buice is the last of 27-year-old Paul Broussard's killers left in prison.

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Police: Roommate admits killing man found in blanket

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's an investigation underway into the death of a person at an apartment complex in northwest Harris County.

At about 11pm Thursday, deputies with the Harris County Sheriff's Office responded to a call for the Timber Walk Apartments at 5635 Timber Creek Place Drive in reference to a welfare check. Deputies arrived and found a male body in a blanket inside one of the apartments.

Police say the female roommate admitted to stabbing the man. The investigation is ongoing. No names have been released at this time.

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Man accused of killing boyfriend, wrapping up body in blankets

Omar Ibrahim, 21, is charged with murder and tampering/fabricating physical evidence.

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is accused of killing his boyfriend and wrapping his body up in blankets.

According to court documents, on September 17 Omar Ibrahim stabbed then strangled his boyfriend, Adrian Castro, then bundled up his body in some blankets bound together with 20 belts. A maintenance man at Ibrahim's apartment complex on Briargrove in west Houston told police that he went to Ibrahim's apartment to fix his wall when Ibrahim enlisted him to help him move a long "bundle" wrapped in blankets and tied with belts.

The maintenance man says he helped Ibrahim carry the bundle close to Ibrahim's vehicle when he saw what he thought was blood leaking from the blanket. He set it down and said he could not continue to help Ibrahim. The man says Ibrahim asked him if he had any friends who could help him out, but the man returned to the apartment to continue his repair work.

Then the maintenance man told investigators he heard a thud and that the bundle was back in the apartment and Ibrahim was gone. The man called police, who arrived and say an officer pulled away a portion of the blanket and saw a dead body. The cause of death was found to be strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head.

Police say a family member of Castro's told them that he was in a dating relationship with a man named Omar and that he was jealous of Castro socializing with other people.

Ibrahim was located in Idaho with family members, Houston police say, and he was subsequently arrested on Sept. 21 by U.S. Marshals.

According to investigators, Ibrahim admitted to police that he killed Castro by cutting him with a knife and choking him until he stopped breathing.

Ibrahim, 21, is charged with murder and tampering/fabricating physical evidence.

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Trial underway for man accused of driving drunk and killing a Houston police officer

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The trial of a man accused of driving drunk and killing a Houston police officer is now underway. But the jury won't have to decide if he's guilty, only his punishment.

Jury selection finished up early Monday afternoon. Seven men and five women have been seated, with one female alternate. Opening statements took place Monday afternoon.

A jury was seated in this case despite the fact that the defendant, Johoan Rodriguez, has already plead guilty to a charge of intoxication manslaughter of a peace officer.

Rodriguez, 27, will still have a trial, but it will proceed straight to the punishment phase. So the jury will not decide guilt, simply the punishment which ranges from 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

The crash which killed HPD Officer Kevin Will happened in late May of 2011. Police say Officer Will was working at a traffic accident on the North Loop when Rodriguez drove through a police blockade, hitting and killing Officer Will. Rodriguez was taken into custody at the scene.

We talked to both sides Monday about the trial before it began.

"The scene was horrific and the devastation to this particular family as well as to an entire police department and community, it can't be totaled," said prosecutor Catherine Evans. "And so for that, not surprisingly, we'll be giving everything we have to the jury and asking them to do justice."

"He did a bad thing. It's an accident, it's a mistake, it's not an intentional act," said defense attorney Rick DeToto. "Unfortunately it was a peace officer. But this is just one part of his life, this is just one night. We're going to show the whole spectrum of his life -- his background, his family, everything he's done, where he's worked -- so this jury can get a full understanding of what they think the appropriate punishment is."

Rodriguez apologized in court Monday afternoon before the beginning of opening statements.

Rodriguez is probation-eligible in the state of Texas. The trial is expected to last at least to the end of the week.

Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for the latest on this story.

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Court appearance for woman accused of killing a mom, kidnapping her baby

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Another court hearing today for a woman accused of killing a Montgomery County mother and kidnapping her newborn son.

The Montgomery Co. District Attorney voluntarily gave grand jury testimony about the case against Verna McClain to her lawyers Thursday. McClain is accused of shooting and killing Kala Golden Schuchardt, then abducting her 3-day-old baby boy in order to pass the baby off as her own.

"We're making a very clean record for anybody who reviews this record later on, exactly what we've done to not only comply with the minimum standards, but to actually to show this is a guideline for the way that other DA offices should behave in other similar cases," said Montgomery Co. District Attorney Brett Ligon.

The DA's office did not say if it will seek the death penalty in the case, But McClain's lawyers say they don't believe it's necessary.

"She does have three children she is taking care of. She has been forced to move from California to Texas. She's been a responsible mother in the past. She has a job. She works as a nurse. She definitely loves kids. It would be a real tragedy in a case like this," said defense attorney E. Tay Bond.

The DA's office has said it plans to decide on the death penalty issue within the next couple of weeks. It could be months before this case goes to trial, according to the DA's office.

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DA's office still deciding about seeking death penalty against woman accused of killing new mom, kidnapping her baby

Verna DeAnn McClain allegedly kidnapped Keegan Schuchardt because she wanted to present him as her own baby following a miscarriage

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Montgomery County District Attorney's office says it's still deciding if it will seek the death penalty against a woman accused of killing a new mother and kidnapping her newborn.

Verna McClain is accused of gunning down Kala Golden Schuchardt outside a pediatrician's office, then abducting her 3-day-old son back in April. Investigators believe McClain wanted to pass the baby off as her own.

The DA's office says it's going through all the evidence that's been gathered in this case and is almost ready to take it to the grand jury.

"At this point, we're convinced that she acted alone, that no other participants helped her out," said Assistant District Attorney Warren Diepraam.

The DA's office plans to decide on the death penalty issue in the next couple of weeks. They have 90 days to get the case to grand jury for consideration of an indictment.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Houston rapper accused of killing rival arrested in Corpus Christi

Jordan Q. Wilson, 19, has been arrested and is charged with murder

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston rapper accused in the shooting death of a rival rapper earlier this month was arrested Tuesday in Corpus Christi.

Jordan Q. Wilson is charged with murder. He is accused in the killing of Toyurean Young.

Police say on May 4, Wilson approached Young, whom he had threatened in the past, in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant at 10777 Beechnut and both men began fighting. At some point during the fight, Wilson retrieved a gun from his shorts' pocket and shot Young. Wilson then fled the scene on foot. Young,20, was taken by paramedics to the hospital where he later died.

According to court documents, a rapper who was present at the time of the shooting told police that Wilson had been jealous over the growing popularity of the Houston rap group FDAB, of which Young was a member. Wilson had reportedly been a member of FDAB for a while, but left to join KREAM, another Houston-based rap group.

An investigation by the U. S. Marshals developed information that led to Wilson's whereabouts. Wilson was arrested on May 15 following a traffic stop in Corpus Christi.

Wilson, 19, is currently in the Nueces County Jail awaiting return to Houston.

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Man accused of killing mom appears in court

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man accused of shooting and killing his own mother appeared in court on Tuesday.

Reyna 'Yuki' Rogers was a well-known activist in the Asian community here in Houston. Her son, James Rogers, is charged with murdering her last week inside their southwest Houston townhome. Yuki Rogers was shot at least eight times.

In court Tuesday, James Rogers, 26, asked for a court-appointed attorney.

There's still been no mention of a motive. James Rogers is a former military man.

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Former NASA employee accused of killing alleged mistress

Police say Shannon Griffin, pictured on the right, shot and killed the mistress of her husband, retired Air Force Colonel Roscoe Griffin.

  GLADSTONE, MO (KTRK) -- A love triangle involving two former NASA employees led to the murder of an accused mistress.

A distraught wife is accused of going to the suburban Kansas City home of the mistress and shooting her three times in the face.

Shannon O'Roark Griffin, a retired training specialist at Johnson Space Center, now faces capital murder charges. Her husband, Air Force Colonel Roscoe Griffin used to be a NASA computer instructor in the 1980s.

The couple lived in the Houston area for decades. Police say they were in therapy, when the husband admitted to having an affair with a Missouri psychiatrist and brought up the possibility of a divorce.

Investigators say that prompted O'Roark Griffin to go shoot the mistress to death.

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Police seek man accused of killing ex-girlfriend

Kyle Brent Johnson, 41, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the fatal shooting of his ex-girlfriend, 28-year-old Cotoya Annette Williams.

  COLUMBUS, TX (KTRK) -- Detectives are searching for a 41-year-old man accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend following a fight at a Columbus home.

Kyle Brent Johnson is charged with first-degree murder. Detectives say on Thursday, he shot 28-year-odl Cotoya Annette Williams several times after they got into a fight outside a home in the 1000 block of Back Street. When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Williams lying in the middle of the road. She transported via LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where she died from her gunshot wounds. Williams fled the scene and has yet to be caught. Anyone with information is asked to call the Columbus Police Department at 979-732-5898. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

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Driver accused of killing toll worker appears in court

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The driver accused of running over and killing a toll booth worker appeared in probable cause court overnight.

Julie Little's bond was set at $30,000 and she was given another court date.

"Ms. Little, a warrant has been issued for your arrest for the felony offense of intoxicated manslaughter in a motor vehicle. You will hear the basis for the warrant when you arrive in court," said a court clerk.

Investigators say Little was drunk when she lost control of her car and hit Sheila Lindsey on the North Beltway Wednesday night. Tests proved Little's blood alcohol level was more than double the legal limit.

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Court appearance for man accused of killing ex and her son

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and her adult son appeared in court today.

Jeffery Prevost is charged with capital murder in the death of Sherry White and her son Kyle Lavergne. Investigators say both victims were shot and this morning prosecutors revealed White had also been stabbed. Prevost, 51, is currently being held without bond. (Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Attorney says dad didn't confess to killing son

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The remains of a 10-year-old boy were found in a box in the back of an SUV. Both of the victim's parents were arrested Sunday, but we've learned that the mother is not facing charges right now. The boy's father is still charged, and we are hearing from his attorney.

Attorneys for Jeffrey Singer, 45, say he denies he had anything to do with the death of his disabled son. Singer is still in the Pasadena jail. He is charged with felony injury to a child by omission.

Singer was taken into custody Sunday after investigators say he drove to his father's home and, according to police, told his father about his 10-year-old disabled son's body being in a box in the back of his SUV. Investigators discovered the box, which reportedly had a foul odor.

Pasadena police say they found the full body of Jonathan Singer, 10, in the box. Police say the child suffered from cerebral palsy and weighed 35 to 40 pounds.

Singer's attorney says his client never admitted to killing his child, not even to his own father. He adds that Singer is distraught by his son's death.

"His defense is that he didn't kill his son," stated defense attorney Jim Lindeman. "We're not going to go into details of what occurred on different dates, other than to say that we're looking forward to the autopsy reports. I think it's going to verify my client's account that he did not kill his son and is not criminally responsible for any wrongdoing. He's very depressed. I can't put it any other way. That's how he appeared when I visited him yesterday."

We asked Lindeman for an explanation as to how the body ended up in a box in his client's SUV. We were told that the explanation has been given to police, but he would not comment on that publicly.

Singer's wife was taken into custody Sunday and released later that evening. There are no charges against her currently, but a police spokesperson says they are pending further investigation.

Singer's bond is set at $50,000.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Suspect in deputy constable killing turns himself in

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Police say a 31-year-old man wanted for the fatal shooting of an off-duty Harris County deputy constable has turned himself in to authorities.

Lee Eldridge Sonier turned himself in late Friday after negotiating his surrender through community activist Quanell X. Sonier is charged with the capital murder of 47-year-old Ronnie Earl Brewer, a Harris County Precinct 4 deputy constable.

Quanell X explained, "He was thinking about running, fleeing. I talked to the brother and explained that's the worst thing he could do."

Investigators say Brewer was shot after getting into an argument with Sonier, accused of being a pimp, over money following sex with a prostitute.

Also charged with capital murder is the alleged prostitute, Judy Lucille Hambrick, who is currently jailed.

On Tuesday, police questioned Sonier, 31, Hambrick, 40, and another woman. Sonier and the unnamed woman were released pending further investigation. Hambrick remained in custody and was charged with theft of a firearm. Police say she admitted to stealing Brewer's weapon.

According to a probable cause affidavit released Friday, Hambrick performed a sex act on Brewer in his car early Tuesday morning. Afterward, police say Sonier argued with Brewer and shot him.

Houston police would not talk publicly about the case; neither would prosecutors. But HPD did send out a press release around midday Friday asking for the public's assistance to find Sonier after a noon time surrender did not happen as planned.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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Teen accused of killing his classmate faces judge

KATY, TX (KTRK) -- The teenager accused in the shooting death of local high school student faced a judge and the father of the girl he's accused of killing.

The accused killer facing a murder charge stood before a judge Monday morning. Alexander Olivieri is charged in the murder of 17-year-old Bridgett Frisbie. Investigators say he shot her in the head and left her body in a wooded area near Katy. She was laid to rest this weekend and her father was there as Olivieri faced those charges.

At about 10am, Olivieri stood before the judge, calmly, but without the smirk many people saw in his mug shot photo.

Prosecutors say in retaliation Olivieri killed his 17-year-old classmate because she was telling others about a drive-by shooting he may have been involved in.

Bridgett's father Bob Frisbie has been coping with the tragic loss of his daughter, but he says to see the justice system working eases his pain.

"It's good to see justice being done," Frisbie said. "I tell you, a couple of days in jail has wiped that smirk off of his face. A few more would really help."

"The motive that we believe was for the killing was because the complainant had knowledge of this drive-by that the defendant was involved in," prosecutor Amanda Skillern said.

Prosecutors would not go into specifics about the drive-by shooting, but they do say they intend to follow this case to the fullest extent of the law.

For the elder Frisbie, he admits wading through the court system will be hard, but he believes today's court appearance is the right beginning.

"It gave me faith that the system would go forward. They have him, he's handcuffed, he's here and justice will prevail," Frisbie said.

Olivieri has not yet entered a plea.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

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