terry denson houston police

Reporters interview Harris County District Attorney Carol Vance, Divers search the depths of Buffalo Bayou for Torres' wallet, Protests outside the Harris County Courthouse. Margaret Torres, mother of Joe Campos Torres, speaks to a crowd gathered at the Houston police station Oct. 8, 1977 to protest the verdict handed down by a Huntsville jury in the the murder trial of former Houston policemen Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando. 09/13/1977 - Fired HPD officer Terry Denson, right, arrives for court at the Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University where his trial for the May 6 murder of Joe Campos . As we said at the time: what difference is it going to make to have the cops speaking Spanish when they brutalize and murder someone? he asks on the podcast. How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, Why the Texans should take Bijan Robinson with the No. By 1977, the year Torres was killed, HPD had hired just 161 Hispanic officers to serve a community with more than 200,000 Latino residents. https://www.nytimes.com/1979/10/31/archives/3-former-officers-sentenced-in-texas-each-to-serve-extra-day-for.html. The unidentified suspect was suspected of throwing a brick during the riot. Above is the abstract of the item that you're interested in viewing from the Vanderbilt Television News Archive's collection. Burning car flipped during a riot that began in nearby Moody Park. For years, [HPD] operated with impunity, he says. Officers Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and were fined $1 and sentenced to probation. Campos Torres was beaten by six officers for hours before they took him to the city jail. In just a few short years, relationships between HPD and Houston's Hispanic community had improved to such a degree that Caldwell even commended a local police critic during a LULAC convention, who in turn praised the chief for his efforts. If you are associated with a college or university, you may ask your library if they would like to become a sponsor, which would give students and faculty at your institution the ability to view items from our collection. The summer of 1979, detective sergeant Jim Montero floated an idea past HPD chief Harry Caldwell: if he got permission to recruit a small group of Spanish-speaking patrol officers, he could train them to serve as translators in the field, helping the department to close the growing number of unsolved crimes in Houstons barrios. But as Alonzo points out: the squads role wasnt to patrol these neighborhoods, it was to solve the crimes that were plaguing them. 'Let's get this clear because there's been some chatter in the neighborhoods [about] how Chief Finner feels about this,' he said of Torres' death, 'and that is straight-up murder of somebody. Family members and friends of his are working to win approval of historical markers at Moody Park to commemorate Torres' death and the community's reaction. But Glenn L. Brinkmeyer, 25, one of those given immunity and an officer in whose wedding Denson had served as a groomsman, testified that Denson had pushed Torres. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. One of the counts, involving a violation of Federal civil rights laws in which death results, is a felony, with the maximum sentence life in prison. "The environment that created the Torres case continues to exist," Garcia said, "and we can expect a continuation of the same kind of thing.". An all-white jury found them guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers. Killings, planted evidence and a federal discrimination lawsuit all provided the fuel that Torres' death set ablaze at an event known as the Moody Park Riot. Bond resigned months later after only serving a year. Brinkmeyer said Denson previously had boasted throwing a wino down a ravine and had beaten other hand-cuffed prisoners. His body was found days later. The officers then took Torres to the city jail, who refused to process him due to his injuries. Im not an immigration officer. This edited footage from Houston's KPRC-TV follows the grand jury investigation into the death of Jos Campos Torres, a 23-year-old Mexican American and Vietnam War veteran. In 2004, Poe was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving for 14 years. Houston, and its police department, had to respond. That trial took place in Huntsville, Tex., 70 miles north of Houston, because the defendants had said they could not get a fair trial in Houston. Historian Dwight David Watson, who is interviewed in Chicano Squad, wrote a book on twentieth-century HPD history in which he traces its ties to the Ku Klux Klan in the twenties and the years of racist incidents and attempts at reform that followed. Two of the officers who had beaten Torres, Terry W. Denson and Stephen Orlando, were charged with murder. As the story goes, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that authorities refused to accept him into the City Jail. State District Judge James Warref of Walker County sentenced them to one year probation and a $1 fine. Mr. Torres was arrested May 5 at Houston tavern on charges of disturbing the peace. The conflicts could have kept escalating were it not for Houston's new police chief, Harry Caldwell, who was hired a few months after the riot. With those words, Officer Terry Denson tossed Joe Campos Torres into Buffalo Bayou. Rioters looted and set fire to a shopping center, and fifteen people were injured including five police officers and two news personnel. Torres drowned after he had been arrested by Houston police officers for creating a disturbance in an East End bar. Every passing month seems to bring news of some officer killing an unarmed young man - we're still mourning the death of 15-year-old Jordan Edwards in Balch Springs, a Dallas suburb. On May 5, 1977, Campos Torres, was arrested at a bar for disorderly conduct. According to Houston police, they got a call about a missing 3-year-old girl at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday. Houston makes national news all the time. Police grab an unidentified suspect believed to have thrown a brick during riot at Moody Park. Dolph Briscoe, prompted the Department of Justice to seek indictments against the former officers on charges of having violated Mr. Torres's civil rights. More often than not, they were the first Spanish-speaking officers the victims had come into contact with. Robert Bennett, attorney for Mr. Denson, who had been specifically charged with pushing Mr. Torres into the water, said that he would argue against a prison sentence for his client. Officer Terry W. Denson, 27, is charged with murder in Torres' death. Two days later, his body was found badly beaten floating in Buffalo Bayou. A local boat operator called the police, identifying Torres by the military dog tags still hanging around his neck. The cops got to go home to their families while he was floating in the water for three days.". On the night of May 5, 1977, Houston police officers arrested Jos Campos Torres, a 23-year-old Mexican American and Vietnam War veteran, at an East End bar for disorderly conduct. The former policemen had been on trial in connection with the drowning death of her son. Officers Terry Denson and Steven Orlando were indicted for murder on June 28. Phone 615-322-2927. 'I will never be the same, my family will never be the same. Slowly, the Chicano Squad earned back the trust that HPD had lost. The killing of Torres - a Hispanic veteran arrested at an East End bar - was the spark that set off a series of protests, firings and reforms that eventually transformed the Houston Police Department into the modern crime-fighting institution that we know today. The US Department of Justice subsequently conducted its own investigation. 3908 Avenue B, Suite 105 Any time in the penitentiary would be unacceptable, Mr. Bennett said, adding that Mr. Denson was an outstanding public servant to this community.. Hernandez, Raymond Gonzalez, and Jose Selvera Jr. On top of their translating work in the field, the squad was also tasked with investigating 52 cases that experienced detectives on the force hadnt been able to crack. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, Houston is in for dust and gray skies as Texas haboob arrives, Former KHOU anchor turns layoff into lucrative real estate career, The only Houston rodeo food guide you'll need, Report: Houston ranked No. Officer Terry Denson reportedly used . The three foriner officers, Terry W. Denson, 27 years old, Stephen Orlando, 22, and Joseph J. Janish, 24, were convicted after a twoweek trial on two counts of violating the civil rights of. Houston Police Chief B. G. "Pappy" Bond holds a press conference in his office. The officers involved were found guilty of negligent homicide and ultimately given a year and a day in prison for civil rights violations. Mimi Swartz is a staff writer based in Houston. CBS Evening News for Wednesday, Feb 08, 1978 In 1977, Torres had been arrested at a Houston bar for disorderly conduct. The US Department of Justice subsequently conducted its own investigation. Past charges of brutality against Houston Police Department noted. Torres' death and the light punishment the officers involved received would spark the infamous Moody Park riot one year later. Houstonians should take pride in knowing that a once-troubled department is now a model for the nation. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Instead, the officers returned to The Hole, where they continued to beat Torres. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Powerful Commons committee could look at case for banning stoves in towns and Love Island hit by hundreds of Ofcom complaints from furious viewers over 'toxic femininity' row and Movie Carrie Johnson joins campaign for Joanna Simpson's killer BA pilot husband who bludgeoned her to death with 'I don't know if I can trust them': Mel B reveals she 'wouldn't call the police' over domestic violence - Houston police chief Troy Finner formally apologizes to family of Joe Campos Torres over 1977 death - ABC13 Houston, Do not sell or share my personal information. info@texasarchive.org His body was found by a boater three days later. One of them removed the handcuffs. Austin, TX 78751, Grand Jury Investigation into the Death of Jos Campos Torres (1977). 512-485-3073 In their barrios, things werent much better. Updated: June 20, 2015. Earlier this month, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld the appeal and ordered Judge Sterling to impose prison terms. The Cavaliers said . Carrying picket signs reading "Protection not police brutality" and "Stop the war against Chicano people," the demonstrators were protesting the police-involved death of Jos Campos Torres. Officers Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and were fined $1 and sentenced to probation. Poe served as a chief felony prosecutor for eight years before being appointed a state district judge in 1981. News car burns in background as youths prepare to burn Houston police car on Fulton Street. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Consider it our city's version of the Ferguson protests. ", 40 years ago police killed Joe Campos Torres sparking massive Moody Park Riots. Divers were hoping to find a wallet belonging to Torres. . The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Its possible.. HPD offers a rewarding career, exceptional benefits and a competitive salary. When you look at the records of some of their arrests, youll find lacerated livers, fractured skulls, broken hands. Films shown; previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted. The other count, a misdemeanor violation of Mr. Torres's rights by intimidation, carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Defense attorney Bob Bennett and his client, Terry Denson, exit the courtroom to deliver comments to the press. REPORTER: Walter Cronkite, (Houston, Texas) Background of case involving alleged beating of Joe Campos Torres, which resulted in his drowning, by officers Terry Wayne Denson, Stephen Orlando and Joseph Janish given. Houston. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Carless Elliott, the only rookie cop at the scene that night, later recalled in court the words of one of his fellow officers, the last words Torres must have heard before his body plunged into those dark waters: Lets see if this wetback can swim.. 110 Twenty-first Avenue South, Suite 704 Nashville, TN 37203, USA. There, they brutally beat him for several hours. . He was on duty at the time of the murder and HPD discovered he. See the article in its original context from. By the following morning, 28 demonstrators had been taken into custody. Three buildings in the shopping center were gutted by the fire. Calbillo is one of several people working to get a historical marker for Joe Campos Torres. And those who chronicled the attack said the executioner was. The group cleared forty homicides by the end of 1979 and later earned the recognition of the National Latino Peace Officers, in 1997, when they solved 91 percent of the cases theyd been assigned. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. October 7, 1977 Two former Houston policemen on trial for beating and drowning a Mexican-American prisoner in their custody last May were convicted by a jury today of misdemeanor charges that. The case and its verdict outraged the local Mexican-American community, sparking protests outside the Harris County Courthouse and police headquarters. His body would end up in the Buffalo Bayou, where it was found three days later. However, Houston's police chief issued a statement saying that "the processes of justice have prevailed over demagoguery.". the Texanist, is a staff writer. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, Astros GM provides update on Yordan Alvarez's hand injury, KPRC 2 anchor Brandon Walker announces he is leaving network, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Witnesses reflect on LA's Rodney King riot 25 years later, A look at prominent figures in the Rodney King riots, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Houston is in for dust and gray skies as Texas haboob hits city, Former KHOU 11 anchor Lily Jang turns layoff into lucrative real estate career, Your essential and exhaustive guide to 2023 Houston rodeo food. All six officers were found guilty of violating Torres' civil rights, and given a ten-year suspended sentence. ", State Rep. Ben Reyes of Houston, also a Mexican-American, called the verdict "pathetic" and "the worst miscarriage of justice that I've ever seen." Terry W. Denson and Stephen Orlando two of the arresting officers were charged with murder following the discovery of Torres' body. HOUSTON, Feb. 8 Three former Houston police officers were found guilty in Federal District Court here today of beating a MeicanAmerican prisoner last May and then pushing him into a downtown bayou, where he drowned. Because the felony and misdemeanor sentences are concurrent, the three will probably serve less than a year in prison. While Bond says that he "cannot create a police review board," the Houston Police Department established the Internal Affairs Division soon after Torres' death to investigate police misconduct. A Houston Chronicle reporter and photographer joined the Northeastern Trail Riders Association to document the highlights and challenges of life on the trail during the group's 108-mile journey to the 2023 Houston Letter from the editor: Introducing our exclusive new newsletter, Black trail riders head to Houston rodeo parade after grueling, joyful 6-day journey. A year later and still feeling as though justice had not been served, members of Houstons Hispanic community rose up in a post Cinco de Mayo riot at the citys Moody Park. (Houston, Texas) Background of case involving alleged beating of Joe Campos Torres, which resulted in his drowning, by officers Terry Wayne Denson, Stephen Orlando and Joseph Janish given. Where's my brother? Houston firemen fight a blaze which was reportedly set by rioters in the 4400 block of Fulton. The Government appealed, arguing that probation was not permissible in cases where the possible penalty was life in prison, as it is in Federal civil rights cases in which the victim has died. 'I am the chief of police, but I am a son of Houston, and what people need to understand is if you cannot see and feel 44 years of pain and suffering of this family, you're not human,' Finner said. Knowing that a once-troubled Department is now a model for the nation Bennett! Other hand-cuffed prisoners `` the processes of Justice have prevailed over demagoguery. `` `` Pappy '' bond holds press. Brinkmeyer said Denson previously had boasted throwing a brick during riot at Moody.. The first Spanish-speaking officers the victims had come into contact with does not alter, edit or update them 1977. Had to respond for years, [ HPD ] operated with impunity, he says he on! Wino down a ravine and had beaten other hand-cuffed prisoners outside the Harris County and... 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