Missouri City Police’s Hitman Husband Given New Trial

Robert Fratta, previously a Missouri police officer who had his wife killed by a hit man, has been given a new trial due to an inconsistency in the gunman’s confession – namely, whether or not he was allowed his right to an attorney before his confession. The police officer had been sentenced to death, but has now been given a trial by a federal judge.

Pedro Gonzales Jr: ELEVEN rib fractures

Pedro Gonzales Jr died of a punctured lung caused by a rib fracture. How many ribs were fractured? 11. How were they fractured? By the knees of two police officers. Between the comments from those who knew him and the medical professionals that have weighed in on the issue, it seems that the force needed to puncture a lung would never have been needed to subdue Mr. Gonzales.

If anyone has any additional information – either about police officers Jason W. Buckaloo and Christopher S. Jones or about this incident, please contact Houston CopWatch.

Pasadena Police Guilty of Deadly Conduct

This past March,  off duty Officer Marcus Justin Kacz of Pasadena PD became so enraged at being cut off while driving that he pursued the car and shot at the driver with at least three shots being fired. On the 26th, a jury found Kacz guilty of deadly conduct. His punishment? Probation, a fine of $400, community service, and an anger management course. A lenient punishment from a police force that is under heavy scrutiny for excessive use of force.

Mass pepper spraying at Ball High

Pepper spray ended up in 50+ students eyes after it was applied to break up a fight at Ball High in Galveston on Friday. Another example of how such methods of crowd control are in fact uncontrollable.  

Conroe Car Chase Leads to Death

Conroe Police pursued a Willis man after he refused to pull over for a traffic stop. 7 miles into the chase, the Willis man crashed into a traffic signal pole and died upon impact.  

The pursuit review board is investigating the incident as is standard for all car chases.

An Account of Repeated Police Brutality in Pasadena

The following is a series of emails Houston CopWatch has received from Robert Pierson of Pasadena, TX. These accounts include incidences of racism and classism, incidences of health violations within the Pasadena jail, and incidences of possible corruption in Pasadena’s court system.

If anyone has any information on other instances like these, please contact Houston CopWatch and we will post your stories.

-HCW

Montgomery County Police to be Armed with Tasers

Soon all Montgomery County patrol deputies will be armed with tasers.  2/3 of Conroe Police to be armed with tasers as well.

Officer Champman of Galveston PD gets busted for helping out prostitutes

Officer James Roland Champman of Galveston PD had been running prostitutes to crack houses and financing their drug habits. He was arrested on three charges of prostitution and could face up to 2 years in jail.

Child Pornography and Ex-Bayou Vista Police Officer

Weldon Kovacevich, previously of Bayou Vista Police, plead guilty to the creation and dispersal of child pornography. According to the Houston Chronicle, “more than 1,100 images of child pornography were found on Kovacevich’s computer including the images he had sent to Virginia. The images included men performing sexual intercourse and oral sex with young girls.”

HOMICIDE!

Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that Pedro Gonzales Jr.’s death was a homicide.  Determining whether or not the homicide was “justified” is the next step towards justice.