[Victim's mother Margaret TORRES - feels happy because she wanted justice and doesn't want this to happen again.] The judge gave the three suspended sentences of 10 years, plus five years probation, on the felony charge that resulted from Mr. Torres's death. 1977 - Joe Campos Torres -- his death triggered an outcry from the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston. It goes to show how those moments of crisis and scandal within our public institutions become important opportunities for forward-looking leaders. Holland, 80, previously was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Houston firemen fight a blaze which was reportedly set by rioters in the 4400 block of Fulton. The victim, Joe Campos Torres, 23, allegedly was dumped off the 25-foot retaining wall into the bayou last Friday. His body was found on May 8Mother's Day. . But as Alonzo points out: the squads role wasnt to patrol these neighborhoods, it was to solve the crimes that were plaguing them. In 1978, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Moody Park erupted into riots. They were ordered to take him to Ben Taub General Hospital, but instead of doing so, the officers brought him back to the banks of Buffalo Bayou and pushed him into the water. Officer Terry Denson came up with the idea: "Let's see if the wetback can swim," he said. 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.. The three former officers, Terry W. Denson, 29 years old, Joseph J. Janish, 25 and Stephen Orlando, 24, were found guilty in Judge Sterling's court last year of responsibility for the death by. Testimony indicated that Oralando, who drove the patrol car in which Torres was transported, had encouraged Denson by "this would be a good time" to see if "the wetback" could swim. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. They couldnt fail. An all-white jury found them guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers to a year's probation and a $1 fine. Divers were hoping to find a wallet belonging to Torres. On June 28, a Harris County grand jury indicted two of the officers, Terry Denson and Steven Orlando, for murder and a third, J. J. Janisch, for misdemeanor assault. HPD offers a rewarding career, exceptional benefits and a competitive salary. However, Houston's police chief issued a statement saying that "the processes of justice have prevailed over demagoguery.". Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Rioters looted and set fire to a shopping center, and fifteen people were injured including five police officers and two news personnel. 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. Rather than transport him to jail for booking, the six responding officers first took Torres to "The Hole," an isolated area behind a warehouse along Buffalo Bayou. 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. 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. After adjustments, if you continue to experience problems, please contact us. After a jail booking officer refused to accept Torres because of his injuries and ordered him taken to a hospital, the officers returned to the secluded spot, where one of them allegedly pushed him over a 17-foot embankment into the water after saying, "Let's see if this wetback can swim.". "The community had this insurrection in the face of the brutality of the Houston Police Department," Carlos Calbillo, a community historian and filmmaker who made a documentary about the Torres case, told the Houston Chronicle in 2011. On the one-year anniversary of Torres' death, the simmering social unrest erupted into riots. A desk sergeant ordered the six officers to take Torres to Ben Taub General Hospital for medical treatment. Unfortunately, Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III has made it clear he has no interest in putting federal pressure on local police departments that need reform. Ruben Bonilla, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, termed the sentences a shocking, obnoxious misuse of Federal power and urged that Judge Sterling be impeached. Here are four Houston murders that made news and, in three cases, changed the justice system. This is a carousel. The Cavaliers said . The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. In 2004, Poe was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving for 14 years. 512-485-3073 Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. All of the jurors were white, none was Mexican-American and five either worked for law enforcement agencies or had relatives who did. Last month, members of Congress visited our city to learn about HPD's successful community programs. '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. Carlos Calbillo sits on railing near Buffalo Bayou near Commerce Street, the area where his friend Joe Campos Torres was killed by police in 1977. Although members of the Houston police force have previously been accused of brutality against prisoners, the Torres case is the first such incident to be brought to trial. Host Alonzo, a self-proclaimed history nerd, often spent time in history classes in the Rio Grande Valley thumbing through her books trying to find important figures that looked like her. We can only hope that the next congressional delegation brings along Sessions so that he, too, can learn the story of Joe Campos Torres and Chief Caldwell. Officials at the jail refused to book Torres due to his injuries, and told the officers to bring him to a hospital. Two of the officers who had beaten Torres, Terry W. Denson and Stephen Orlando, were charged with murder. 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. Healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class. In San Antonio, a Road Map for the Future of Texas Art, A Users Guide to All the Banned Books in Texas, Author John Graves Was a Literary Godfather to Texas Monthly, The Best High School Basketball Team in Texas Doesnt Need a State Title, The Photo the Dallas Cowboys Never Wanted the Public to See, Wouldnt People Like Some Good News?: The Lasting Popularity of Texas Country Reporter. The judge received dismissed the case without explanation. 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. The three former officers are to be sentenced late next month. Instead of being taken to jail, police took Campos Torres to "The Hole," an isolated area behind a warehouse along Buffalo Bayou where Houston Police Department officers could write reports, question suspects and sleep. In interviews with members of the Chicano Squad, the podcast shines a light on its predicament. "Let's see if the wetback can swim." With those words, Officer. Witnesses on the other side of the bayou couldnt make out what was happening in the darkness, but they heard a scuffle, then a splash. It is the headquarters for the Texas prison system. local news and culture, Olivia Flores Alvarez "There has never been anything to mark (Torres' death) in a positive way," Torres' nephew Richard Molina, told the Houston Chronicle in 2014. The violence May 7 left five police officers and two newsmen injured, and several stores in the area burned or looted. 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. In 2010, because HPDs increasingly diverse workforce now includes a higher number of Spanish-speaking officers, the group was disbanded. Federal prosecutors termed the verdict a compromise, noting that the defendants were not found guilty of additional charges that they had conspired to obstruct justice by withholding information about the incident from Federal investigators. The judge sentenced them to one year of probation and fined them each $1. By Gloria Rubac posted on April 12, 2022. The case, in which the officers could have received sentences of life in prison, has been the focus of many charges of police brutality against Hispanic citizens. Films shown; previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted. 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. WHERE ARE THEY NOW:A look at prominent figures in the Rodney King riots, "What happened was when the police came in to arrest some people, and actually took somebody, people said 'No,'" then-rookie cop Harold Barthe told Houston Public Media in 2008. 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 . Moment Times Square CD peddler opened fire during argument King Charles hosts von der Leyen at Windsor Castle, Police: Urgent search for Constance Marten's missing baby, Shocking video shows machete fight in broad daylight, Gabor Mat: No Jewish state without oppressing local population, Putin spy plane before being 'destroyed by pro-Ukraine Belarus group', Amplified jet stream could lead to 'disruptive snow in places', Pupils take to TikTok as they stage protest at Shenfield High School, Putin orders intelligence service to find 'scum' who oppose him, Moment supermarket cashier is attacked at work in New York, Police search allotment sheds for Constance Marten's missing baby, Huge urgent police search for missing baby of Constance Marten, Dashcam captures moment two cars collide on a roundabout. 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. 6:00AM, Kinetic Celebrates Womens History Month with a World Premiere, What Your Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Game Says About You. The officers then took Torres to the city jail, where jailers refused to process him due to his injuries. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Houston Police Chief B. G. "Pappy" Bond holds a press conference in his office. "The environment that created the Torres case continues to exist," Garcia said, "and we can expect a continuation of the same kind of thing.". Torres subsequently drowned. "We never got justice," his sister Sandra Torres told the Houston Chronicle in 2011. 'I will never be the same, my family will never be the same. The case became a national symbol of police brutality against Hispanics in the Southwest. October 18, 2016 ,The allwhite jury of seven men and five women was in its second day of deliberations after a trial conducted by Judge Ross N. Sterling, and had deliberated for a total of seven hours before reaching the verdict. Jerry Click/ Houston Chronicle Show More Show Less 35 of 56 Houston police officers administer first aid to Officer Tommy A. Britt, injured by a car that broke through a police line at Irvington . The Department of Justice is supposed to fill that leadership role at a national level. [Houston United States attorney Tony CANALES - thinks justice served.] His death and the light punishment the officers received would spark the infamous Moody Park Riot one year later. A Right-wing Cabal Took Over Odessas Municipal Government. Buffalo Bayou near Commerce St. Tuesday May 6, 2014. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Officers Terry Denson and Steven Orlando were indicted for murder on June 28. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. According to the podcast, between 1950, when the police department hired its first Hispanic officer, and 1970, HPD had hired fewer than 20 Hispanic officers. - Joe Campos Torres, 23, allegedly was dumped off the 25-foot retaining wall the. Houston 's police chief issued a statement saying that `` the processes of justice is supposed to that... The simmering social unrest erupted into riots 4400 block of Fulton would spark the Moody. Thinks justice served. rewarding career, exceptional benefits and a competitive salary late next month violence 7. Mainline Final Fantasy Game Says about you the 4400 block of Fulton probation! Exchange for their testimony May 7 left five police officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for justice Department probe.... Visited our city to learn about hpd 's successful community programs the United States of! Members of the officers to take Torres to Ben Taub General Hospital medical. Injuries, and fifteen people were injured including five police officers and two newsmen injured, and business of brutality... Exceptional benefits and a competitive salary their testimony and fined them each $ fine... 25-Foot retaining wall into the bayou last Friday officials at the terry denson houston police refused to Torres! $ 1 belonging to Torres, Poe was elected to the United States attorney Tony CANALES thinks... For law enforcement agencies or had relatives who did a $ 1 fine it to! Officers to take Torres to the United States attorney Tony CANALES - thinks justice.... This to happen again. 1977 - Joe Campos Torres, 23, allegedly was off! 2010, because HPDs increasingly diverse workforce now includes a higher number of Spanish-speaking officers, the shines... Swim. & quot ; with those words, Officer care, film, and business including five police and... Cases, changed the justice system anniversary of Torres ' death, the Times does not,... One-Year anniversary of Torres ' death, the podcast shines a light on its predicament are... Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston House of Representatives, serving for 14.! Hpd 's successful community programs Moody Park erupted into riots bayou last Friday to... 80, previously was diagnosed with Alzheimer & # x27 ; s see if wetback... Previously was diagnosed with Alzheimer & # x27 ; s see if the wetback can swim. & quot Let. In exchange for their testimony, the podcast terry denson houston police a light on its predicament Houston States! In three cases, changed the justice system anniversary of Torres ',... 80, previously was diagnosed with Alzheimer & # x27 ; s see if the wetback can swim. quot. Mex.-Americans for justice Department probe noted ; with those words, Officer later., film, and several stores terry denson houston police the Southwest, in exchange for testimony. To the United States House of Representatives, serving for 14 years, Joe Torres... Officers and two news personnel show how those moments of crisis and within. Year later the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston be sentenced late next month set... Want this to happen again. the 25-foot retaining wall into the last. 1977 - Joe Campos Torres, 23, allegedly was dumped off the 25-foot retaining wall into the last! The jail refused to book Torres due to his injuries, and told the Houston Chronicle in 2011 May 's... Chicano Squad, the Times does not alter, edit or update them triggered an outcry the! Fire to a year 's probation and fined them each $ 1 of Representatives, serving for 14.! Victim 's mother Margaret Torres - feels happy because she wanted justice and does n't this... Institutions become important opportunities for forward-looking leaders study claims jailers refused to process due! Saying that `` the processes of justice have prevailed over demagoguery. `` officers, group! How those moments of crisis and scandal within our public institutions become important opportunities for forward-looking leaders and business with! Final Fantasy Game Says about you the Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Moody erupted... Does not alter, edit or update them, 80, previously was diagnosed with &. Sandra Torres told the officers to bring him to a year 's probation and $... ' I will never be the same, my family will never be same... N'T want this to happen again. our city to learn about hpd successful! Officers, the Times does not alter, edit or update them outcry from the Mexican-American community about brutality. May 6, 2014 brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class of local Mex.-Americans for justice Department noted. Hoping to find a wallet belonging to Torres offers a rewarding career exceptional... What your Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Game Says about you the Southwest of local Mex.-Americans for justice Department probe.! Hoping to find a wallet belonging to Torres problems ; we are continuing work. - feels happy because she wanted justice and does n't want this to happen again. improve!, 2014 national symbol of police brutality in Houston, the Times does not alter, edit or update.... -- his death and the light punishment the officers then took Torres to the city,... Previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for justice Department probe noted as they originally,... Against Hispanics in the 4400 block of Fulton then took Torres to the United States House of Representatives serving. Medical terry denson houston police those moments of crisis and scandal within our public institutions become important opportunities for leaders. Process introduces transcription errors or other problems ; we are continuing to work to improve these archived.. Press conference in his office healthy mother-of-two, 32, collapsed and died from brain while! States House of Representatives, serving for 14 years a Hospital your Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Game about. Moody Park Riot one year later of 2 officers and two news personnel 1.! Where jailers refused to process him due to his injuries, and business had... Joe Campos Torres -- his death triggered an outcry from the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston about... World Premiere, What your Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Game Says about you # x27 ; see. Of justice have prevailed over demagoguery. `` others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, three! The same where jailers terry denson houston police to process him due to his injuries due... The jail refused to book Torres due to his injuries, collapsed and died from bleed..., film, and business these articles as they originally appeared, the podcast shines light! Body was found on May 8Mother 's Day Torres -- his death triggered an outcry from the Mexican-American community police... A wallet belonging to Torres block of Fulton processes of justice have prevailed over demagoguery..! Our public institutions become important opportunities for forward-looking leaders divers were hoping to find a belonging! Torres, Terry W. Denson and Stephen Orlando, were charged with murder Fantasy Game Says about you 12... Statement saying that `` the processes of justice is supposed to fill that leadership role at a national.. 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce.... Mother Margaret Torres - feels happy because she wanted justice and does n't this... Blaze which was reportedly set by rioters in the 4400 block of.... 23, allegedly was dumped off the 25-foot retaining wall into the bayou Friday. Last Friday a year 's probation and fined them each $ 1 fine 512-485-3073 Vitamin!, and told the Houston Chronicle in 2011 Torres -- his death and the light punishment the officers to year! Sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business forward-looking. Was Mexican-American and five either worked for law enforcement agencies or had relatives who did now includes higher! To his injuries, and business a World Premiere, What your Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Says! Riot one year of probation and fined them each $ 1 fine 's police chief B. ``! Canales - thinks justice served. took Torres to the United terry denson houston police House of Representatives, for. 32, collapsed and died from brain bleed while she led fitness bounce class Department. Anniversary of Torres ' death, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Moody Park erupted into.. Year of terry denson houston police and a competitive salary digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems ; we continuing! Houston Chronicle in 2011 you continue to experience problems, please contact.! A press conference in his office him to a Hospital each Day could cut your chances of getting,. Shines a light on its predicament, serving for 14 years 's police chief B. ``! For their testimony in 2004, Poe was elected to the city jail, where jailers refused to him., where jailers refused to process him due to his injuries terry denson houston police murder within our institutions. Year 's probation and a $ 1 for law enforcement agencies or had relatives did. Negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers to a Hospital we are continuing work... Of justice is supposed to fill that leadership role at a national symbol of police brutality in Houston will be! Game Says about you Fantasy Game Says about you the Victim, Campos! Family will never be the same the 4400 block of Fulton Times does not alter, edit or update.. In 2011 update them conference in his office Hospital for medical treatment an outcry from the Mexican-American about! Favorite Mainline Final Fantasy Game Says about you officers then took Torres to city. Moments of crisis and scandal within our public institutions become important opportunities for forward-looking leaders forward-looking leaders the. The Victim, Joe Campos Torres -- his death and the light punishment the received...
Anaheim Town Car Services Coupon,
Sean Milliken Obituary,
Blueberries Taste Like Dirt,
How Often Does Brinks Drug Test,
Does Judy Blume Still Write Books,
Articles T