Houston News

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Homicide detectives probing baby's death in north Houston

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston father is under arrest after police discovered his child dead in north Houston on Thursday.

It happened around midday at an apartment complex in the 16000 block of City View Place, and the HPD crime scene unit spent the rest of the day scouring the scene for evidence.

Police were dispatched to the complex around 1:30pm after they received a call from someone claiming there was a child in cardiac arrest.

Police say it looked as if the two-year-old boy, who's been identified as Jashaun Davis, had been badly beaten.

According to an officer on scene, the toddler's father, Tyrone Jefferson, was questioned by detectives and told he them his son became unresponsive after a spanking. According to court documents, the toddler's head was struck against a wall. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival at a nearby hospital.

Police say the mother was at work when the incident happened. She seemed completely devastated when she spoke with us Friday.

"I was gonna tell him to leave that same day. It was too late. I love that boy more than life itself," the boy's mother, Angela Davis, said.

Jefferson, 24, was later charged with capital murder.

Meanwhile, neighbors are still trying to figure out what happened.

"He looked innocent, like he wouldn't do something like this, but you know never know what's in people's mind," neighbor Evelyn Cloud said.

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West U officer collides with SUV while responding to call

A West University police officer collided with another driver while en route to a call overnight.

WEST UNIVERSITY, TX (KTRK) -- A West University officer believed to have been responding to a chase ended up in a car crash at Weslayan and Bissonnet.

Her patrol car and a civilian SUV collided. The impact was intense enough to crumple the patrol car's hood. The officer was taken to the hospital to be treated for her non life-threatening injuries.

The civilian woman driving the other vehicle was not hurt.
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Police: Fight over dog in NW Houston turns deadly

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A deadly fight between roommates all started over a dog, and officials say the shooting may have been self-defense. The fatal encounter happened at an apartment complex off Hollister in northwest Houston late Wednesday night.

A 21-year-old man had lived at the apartment for a while but he took in a roommate a few months back. But on Wednesday night there was a fight centered around a dog named Bear and it ended in death.

HPD Homicide Officer Brian Evans said, "When the secondary roommate was apparently attempting to choke a dog that was inside the apartment belonging to the primary lease holder, that individual then turned his attention from he dog to the lease holder and they became involved in a physical altercation."

Not long after that a gun was fired. The roommate who had choked the dog was shot. A neighbor heard the commotion.

"I looked over by the window and then I see the guy screaming and he says it hurts," recalled Ingrid. "But I didn't hear the gunshot, just the guy screaming."

The man police have identified as Brian Harper later died at a nearby hospital. Both roommates were 21 years old, and were often seen taking the dog outside. They were described as quiet and pleasant. One neighbor says one of the men was involved with an area church.

"He told me he was a youth pastor and he loved his job and he loved doing what he was doing," said neighbor Harold Davis. "He talked about the kids at the church all the time."

The roommate who shot his friend was questioned by police but he was not arrested and he is not charged. Police say it may be a case of self-defense.

"All of the evidence that we have on that scene appears that may be the case," said Officer Evans. "We don't have anything to indicate it was a struggle over than a self-defense type situation."

Because of that, police say the case will be presented to a grand jury which will decide whether charges are merited or not. The name of the tenant who shot Harper, according to police, is not being released because he has not been charged with a crime.

The dog was taken into the custody of animal control, which is seeking to return it to its owner.
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Candidates face off in race to replace late senator

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Early voting is now underway for the special election to replace the late State Sen. Mario Gallegos. He died back in October due to liver disease complications and now, eight candidates are fighting to replace him.

This special election features a couple of familiar names and some political newcomers. They faced off Friday in a debate with the election just two weeks away, and all of whom think they can best serve District 6.

When Gallegos was re-elected posthumously in November, it set in motion a flurry of post-Election Day campaigning.

There are eight people who want to fill the long-held seat in the Texas Senate and six of them were at an east-end chamber luncheon on Friday afternoon, making pitches to the district's civic leaders.

"District 6 voters have a choice, and they are at a crossroads at the presdent time," Democratic candidate Rodolfo Reyes said.

"First of all, we have to have people responsible for how they spend their money," Republican candidate Dorothy Olmos said.

The informal forum was an opportunity for all of the candidates to talk about jobs, the port of Houston, and healthcare but most of all themselves.

"We haven't had anyone that can address the needs and go to Austin to ascertain funds to make sure those needs are actually met," Republican candidate R.W. Bray said.

"There needs to be a change. There needs to be a change in how leadership is done ,not just in Austin, but here in our community. I want to be that leader," Democratic candidate Joaquin Martinez said.

It was also another chance for the two most recognizable political names on the ballot to sit at the same table: State Rep. Carol Alvarado and former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia. They have been the most visible campaigns and haven't been shy about trying to distinguish themselves from the others.

"Especially in an open race you're going to have numerous candidates. But I feel good about the type of campaign that we're running. It's positive and we're sticking to the issues," Alvarado said.

"When people are running for office -- there's eight of us -- everybody has to look at their background and their record and I've got a proven record of public service that's always been about putting people first," Garcia said.

Early voting for the special election is already open. Election Day is January 26. If there is a runoff, it would be in either late February or early March.
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Earl Campbell and his son Tyler have something in common, and they're battling it together

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- He is one of the greatest warriors ever to take to a Texas football field. Earl Campbell is a Heisman Trophy winner, a Hall of Famer and the heart of the Oilers 'Luv Ya Blue' era. Now, the Tyler Rose is battling a different opponent; this time on behalf of the son who's named for his hometown.

Eyewitness News sat down with both Earl and Tyler Campbell recently at their office in Austin.

Tyler Campbell sees his father like most of us do.

"My dad, in my book, is Superman," said Tyler.

Just ask the thousands of fans who cheered Earl Campbell when he appeared on the field at the Texans' game last weekend. It didn't even matter that he was on a walker.

But this Earl is a far cry from the powerful running back who broke records at the University of Texas and then as a Houston Oiler.

"It's funny, but my dad and I have the same story, whether people realize it or not, because I know what it's like to have the inability to walk," Tyler told us.

He was a junior at San Diego State five years ago when something happened the day after a game.

"I proceeded to get up and when I got out of bed, I fell flat on my face," said Tyler.

His roommate took him to the team doctor.

"My limbs were functioning on the left side, but not on the right side. And by this time, when we got to the training room, my speech was slurred," Tyler said.

Many tests later, it wasn't a concussion, but Multiple Sclerosis. Tyler told almost no one, not even his dad.

"I didn't want anyone to feel sorry for me and I didn't want anyone to see me as weak," he said.

When Earl finally learned the truth,

"I kept asking my wife, 'Did he get it from me?' And she'd say, 'No, it's just something that happened,'" Earl told us.

Now the two have joined forces in the battle against MS, raising more than $60,000 and learning from each other.

"To be that young with this is one thing -- but he always smiles, he's always upbeat, he's always got it going," said Earl.

Tyler told us, "So, my perspective is I'm looking at Superman and Superman doesn't quit. So how am I going to quit?"

Tyler now runs his father's meat products business full time, and he and Earl are planning another fundraiser for the MS society in the spring.

But the biggest news? Tyler and his wife are expecting their first baby!
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Rain moves east, mild temperatures today

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Skies are clearing out this morning. Look for sunshine and mild temps this afternoon.

Bands of clouds and rain are wrapping around on the backside of this low, bringing rain and storms to parts of the south, especially Louisiana right now.

Flooding rain, dangerous lightning and even the threat for isolated tornadoes will continue across the Deep South today. Quiet weather for our area Friday, with highs around 70.

Our next cold front moves into southeast Texas this weekend. Rain and storms are likely Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We're concerned about the possibility of dangerous lightning impacting the Houston Marathon Sunday morning. Colder air will move in behind this front on Sunday.
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Video captures break-in at Sugar Land business park

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- Two men and a woman are on the run after police say they broke into two offices at a business park in Sugar Land last week.

According to Sugar Land police, the three people broke into offices at 1 Sugar Creek Blvd. back on January 5 at around 2pm.

The trio was captured on surveillance video going into the pried-open front doors of Petrolog International and the Leon Law Firm. The video shows two men entering one office as the women stands at the doors.

According to police, nothing was taken from either office suite.

Anyone with information should call the Sugar Land Police Department at (281) 275-2540 or Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers at (281) 342-TIPS (8477).
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Sunday, January 13, 2013

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