Teen's body recovered after possible drowning
FORT WORTH, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - The body of a 13-year-old boy was recovered on Benbrook Lake in Tarrant County Sunday after authorities received a call about a possible drowning around 5:30 p.m.
Game wardens shut down the park at 7:00 p.m. as rescue crews began looking for the teen. The body was recovered before 9:00 p.m.
The teenager was swimming in the lake when his family said he went under.
News from the Lone Star State
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TexasStooge
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Mother killed in murder-suicide
LITTLE ELM, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police said they are investigating a case of domestic violence that left a mother of four children dead.
Jennifer Baron's estranged husband abducted her Saturday night at gunpoint, shot her and then turned the gun on himself in Little Elm.
Just a week ago, Baron separated from her common-law husband Jose Trevino. Baron had told friends and family he had become increasingly violent.
"All of this started happening maybe about two three years back," said Jeanette Flores, Baron's sister. "We noticed he was more controlling of her. We noticed he was more obsessive. She couldn't do anything."
Flores called 911 when she learned Trevino had a gun.
When a Little Elm officer spotted the couple and turned on his lights and siren, Trevino shot Baron and then himself.
The children's biological father is in jail.
LITTLE ELM, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police said they are investigating a case of domestic violence that left a mother of four children dead.
Jennifer Baron's estranged husband abducted her Saturday night at gunpoint, shot her and then turned the gun on himself in Little Elm.
Just a week ago, Baron separated from her common-law husband Jose Trevino. Baron had told friends and family he had become increasingly violent.
"All of this started happening maybe about two three years back," said Jeanette Flores, Baron's sister. "We noticed he was more controlling of her. We noticed he was more obsessive. She couldn't do anything."
Flores called 911 when she learned Trevino had a gun.
When a Little Elm officer spotted the couple and turned on his lights and siren, Trevino shot Baron and then himself.
The children's biological father is in jail.
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Man shot dead outside Dallas church
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police were searching for a gunman after a man was shot and killed outside a Dallas church early Monday.
Two couples told police they were out for a walk around five a.m. when they heard gunshots.
They found the body in a praking lot at at Barree Drive and Persimmon Road near Cedardale Park in far south Dallas.
No other information was available.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Police were searching for a gunman after a man was shot and killed outside a Dallas church early Monday.
Two couples told police they were out for a walk around five a.m. when they heard gunshots.
They found the body in a praking lot at at Barree Drive and Persimmon Road near Cedardale Park in far south Dallas.
No other information was available.
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Toy guns inspire real debate
Dallas: Not all believe banning realistic play weapons saves lives
By SCOTT FARWELL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Laws banning the sale of toy guns – like one poised to pass in Dallas – are futile and do not prevent accidental police shootings, according to a criminologist who studied the issue for the federal government.
A person's behavior matters more to police than whether someone brandishes a fake weapon, according to David L. Carter, a Michigan State University professor who directed the congressional inquiry in the 1980s. In the dark, in a blink, officers interviewed for the study said, many things could look like a gun – a wallet, a beer bottle, a cellphone.
"They would see something ... the size and the color made no difference whatsoever," Dr. Carter said. "The officer is looking at the behavior of the individual.
"Simple solutions are usually just that, simple. And they just don't work."
Dallas's proposed law may restrict the sale of realistic-looking toy guns and outlaw children from playing with them in public. It may also require that toy guns be brightly colored or clear plastic. The ordinance is being reviewed by city attorneys and will be discussed today by the city's Public Safety Committee. It is expected to be approved by the City Council in August.
Similar ordinances have been passed in Plano, Carrollton and Highland Park in recent years. Replica weapons are banned in Baltimore; Hartford, Conn., and Akron, Ohio.
"This was mind-boggling to me ... I didn't realize we had these realistic-looking toy guns on our streets," said Dallas City Council member Mitchell Rasansky. "They're dangerous, and they're a disaster just waiting to happen."
Mr. Rasansky and other Dallas officials believe banning the sale and display of the fake weapons would help protect children and police. Members of the southern Dallas community group Weed & Seed say the toys have been sold by ice cream truck vendors, at popular bazaars, and in general merchandise dollar stores.
Last week, about a dozen members of the Black Panthers, the Brown Berets and Weed & Seed demonstrated in front of Soul Bazaar on Hatcher Street.
Protesters said owners of the business had removed realistic-looking toy guns from the store's shelves – including some with laser sights – but were now selling to children from under the counter.
Darrin X,chairman of the Dallas Panthers, confronted co-owner Miyun Kang and her 10-year-old son inside the store.
"I warned you about this didn't I?" he said. "We're going to come back today and every day until you stop selling this [expletive] in our neighborhoods."
Ms. Kang said she removed all the offensive toys from her shelves two weeks ago, the first time the Panthers expressed concern about the fake weapons.
"I don't care about them outside my store," she said later. "But when they come inside my store, in my face, in my son's face, I don't want. They need to slow down."
The Rev. Peter Johnson, a member of Weed & Seed, said his group sympathizes with small-business owners, and an anonymous donor has agreed to purchase the inventory from all the small stores in Dallas. Once collected, he said, the toys would be destroyed.
"We don't want to hurt these businesses," he said. "We just want them to stop selling these dangerous guns to our children."
Similar concerns prompted managers of Southwest Center Mall to ask one of its stores, Mr. Defense, to relocate this week. Jack Anderson, a leasing agent for the mall on Camp Wisdom Road, said several patrons were alarmed by the realistic-looking air guns being sold in the small shop.
"What would happen if some kid pulled one of those things on a cop?" he said. "They'd get shot."
A clerk, who said her family runs the store, declined to comment.
Air guns would not be banned under the ordinance being considered in Dallas. Still, City Council member Steve Salazar, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said he and his colleagues "want to send a strong, clear message ... that the council has a concern about this. If this becomes the law, we'll expect people to abide by the law."
But Mike McDaniel, a former 17-year police officer and firearms safety instructor, said politicians should not pass ordinances to make statements or send messages. Laws should be passed only if police plan to vigorously enforce them.
"Do we really want our police going after people for this?" he said. "Pass a resolution if you want to send a message. Don't pass legislation that will be impossible to enforce."
Critics of toy gun restrictions say the laws are usually vague and do little to keep children safe.
"If we really want to protect children, we should keep them away from swimming pools and make them wear bicycle helmets," Mr. McDaniel added. "This is way, way down the list of things that actually put children at risk."
Dallas: Not all believe banning realistic play weapons saves lives
By SCOTT FARWELL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Laws banning the sale of toy guns – like one poised to pass in Dallas – are futile and do not prevent accidental police shootings, according to a criminologist who studied the issue for the federal government.
A person's behavior matters more to police than whether someone brandishes a fake weapon, according to David L. Carter, a Michigan State University professor who directed the congressional inquiry in the 1980s. In the dark, in a blink, officers interviewed for the study said, many things could look like a gun – a wallet, a beer bottle, a cellphone.
"They would see something ... the size and the color made no difference whatsoever," Dr. Carter said. "The officer is looking at the behavior of the individual.
"Simple solutions are usually just that, simple. And they just don't work."
Dallas's proposed law may restrict the sale of realistic-looking toy guns and outlaw children from playing with them in public. It may also require that toy guns be brightly colored or clear plastic. The ordinance is being reviewed by city attorneys and will be discussed today by the city's Public Safety Committee. It is expected to be approved by the City Council in August.
Similar ordinances have been passed in Plano, Carrollton and Highland Park in recent years. Replica weapons are banned in Baltimore; Hartford, Conn., and Akron, Ohio.
"This was mind-boggling to me ... I didn't realize we had these realistic-looking toy guns on our streets," said Dallas City Council member Mitchell Rasansky. "They're dangerous, and they're a disaster just waiting to happen."
Mr. Rasansky and other Dallas officials believe banning the sale and display of the fake weapons would help protect children and police. Members of the southern Dallas community group Weed & Seed say the toys have been sold by ice cream truck vendors, at popular bazaars, and in general merchandise dollar stores.
Last week, about a dozen members of the Black Panthers, the Brown Berets and Weed & Seed demonstrated in front of Soul Bazaar on Hatcher Street.
Protesters said owners of the business had removed realistic-looking toy guns from the store's shelves – including some with laser sights – but were now selling to children from under the counter.
Darrin X,chairman of the Dallas Panthers, confronted co-owner Miyun Kang and her 10-year-old son inside the store.
"I warned you about this didn't I?" he said. "We're going to come back today and every day until you stop selling this [expletive] in our neighborhoods."
Ms. Kang said she removed all the offensive toys from her shelves two weeks ago, the first time the Panthers expressed concern about the fake weapons.
"I don't care about them outside my store," she said later. "But when they come inside my store, in my face, in my son's face, I don't want. They need to slow down."
The Rev. Peter Johnson, a member of Weed & Seed, said his group sympathizes with small-business owners, and an anonymous donor has agreed to purchase the inventory from all the small stores in Dallas. Once collected, he said, the toys would be destroyed.
"We don't want to hurt these businesses," he said. "We just want them to stop selling these dangerous guns to our children."
Similar concerns prompted managers of Southwest Center Mall to ask one of its stores, Mr. Defense, to relocate this week. Jack Anderson, a leasing agent for the mall on Camp Wisdom Road, said several patrons were alarmed by the realistic-looking air guns being sold in the small shop.
"What would happen if some kid pulled one of those things on a cop?" he said. "They'd get shot."
A clerk, who said her family runs the store, declined to comment.
Air guns would not be banned under the ordinance being considered in Dallas. Still, City Council member Steve Salazar, chair of the Public Safety Committee, said he and his colleagues "want to send a strong, clear message ... that the council has a concern about this. If this becomes the law, we'll expect people to abide by the law."
But Mike McDaniel, a former 17-year police officer and firearms safety instructor, said politicians should not pass ordinances to make statements or send messages. Laws should be passed only if police plan to vigorously enforce them.
"Do we really want our police going after people for this?" he said. "Pass a resolution if you want to send a message. Don't pass legislation that will be impossible to enforce."
Critics of toy gun restrictions say the laws are usually vague and do little to keep children safe.
"If we really want to protect children, we should keep them away from swimming pools and make them wear bicycle helmets," Mr. McDaniel added. "This is way, way down the list of things that actually put children at risk."
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Smoky fire triggers Plano office evacuation
PLANO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) — A smoky fire forced the evacuation of a Plano office building Monday morning.
Fire department personnel said an electrical panel was apparently the source of the fire in the the 13-story Bank of America building at 101 East Park Blvd. at North Central Expressway.
Three alarms were sounded for the manpower required to deal with the fire on the upper floors of the tower, which was reported shortly after 10 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
PLANO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) — A smoky fire forced the evacuation of a Plano office building Monday morning.
Fire department personnel said an electrical panel was apparently the source of the fire in the the 13-story Bank of America building at 101 East Park Blvd. at North Central Expressway.
Three alarms were sounded for the manpower required to deal with the fire on the upper floors of the tower, which was reported shortly after 10 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
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One dead, one wounded in S. Dallas shootings
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas — Two men were shot—one fatally—in separate incidents blocks apart in far south Dallas early Monday.
In the fatal shooting case, witnesses told police the victim, his brother, and two women were out for a walk around five a.m. when one of the men returned to his vehicle parked at the Greater Parkside Church of God in Christ in the 2800 block of Persimmon Road.
Gunshots rang out. The three returned to find their companion shot dead in the church's parking lot in far south Dallas.
The victim was identified as Tony Dwayne Lyles, 21.
Police said another person was shot and wounded around the same time several blocks away. He was taken to Baylor University Medical Center for treatment.
Police said they didn't know who was responsible for the shootings and were investigating the possibility that they were linked.
By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas — Two men were shot—one fatally—in separate incidents blocks apart in far south Dallas early Monday.
In the fatal shooting case, witnesses told police the victim, his brother, and two women were out for a walk around five a.m. when one of the men returned to his vehicle parked at the Greater Parkside Church of God in Christ in the 2800 block of Persimmon Road.
Gunshots rang out. The three returned to find their companion shot dead in the church's parking lot in far south Dallas.
The victim was identified as Tony Dwayne Lyles, 21.
Police said another person was shot and wounded around the same time several blocks away. He was taken to Baylor University Medical Center for treatment.
Police said they didn't know who was responsible for the shootings and were investigating the possibility that they were linked.
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Mom begs for leniency in SMU assault case
By MICHAEL GRABELL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The mother of a 26-year-old Dallas man convicted of assaulting an SMU fraternity pledge in an initiation ritual took the stand Monday morning and begged the jury to go easy on her son.
Libbie Lee, a former probation officer who leads a community youth program, said the best option for her son Raymond Lee would be to avoid prison and return to the community so that he could teach others to not make the same mistakes he did.
As she spoke, Mr. Lee sniffled and wiped his eyes.
“I can guarantee those tears are real over there,” she said. “He’s really a good person and I just beg you to know that whatever happened was not malicious. It wasn’t reckless.”
Mr. Lee was convicted Friday of aggravated assault for his role in the off-campus initiation, in which Braylon Curry was pressured to drink gallon jugs of water and later collapsed. Mr. Curry spent 10 days in the hospital, and a doctor said he nearly died.
The prosecution and defense rested in the sentencing phase of the trial j ust after 10 a.m. Monday. The jurors will now decide Mr. Lee’s punishment, which could range from probation to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutor Josh Healy countered testimony from Mr. Lee’s mother and uncle by arguing that the man had already had enough chances.
In cross-examining the defense’s witnesses, he repeated that Mr. Lee is on six probations and was involved in the initiation shortly after a court removed an electronic monitor that he was required to wear for not reporting to his probation officer.
“He lasts two months and one week before committing a second-degree felony,” he told his probation officer. “Does someone like that sound like a good candidate for probation?”
The officer replied that it would not.
By MICHAEL GRABELL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - The mother of a 26-year-old Dallas man convicted of assaulting an SMU fraternity pledge in an initiation ritual took the stand Monday morning and begged the jury to go easy on her son.
Libbie Lee, a former probation officer who leads a community youth program, said the best option for her son Raymond Lee would be to avoid prison and return to the community so that he could teach others to not make the same mistakes he did.
As she spoke, Mr. Lee sniffled and wiped his eyes.
“I can guarantee those tears are real over there,” she said. “He’s really a good person and I just beg you to know that whatever happened was not malicious. It wasn’t reckless.”
Mr. Lee was convicted Friday of aggravated assault for his role in the off-campus initiation, in which Braylon Curry was pressured to drink gallon jugs of water and later collapsed. Mr. Curry spent 10 days in the hospital, and a doctor said he nearly died.
The prosecution and defense rested in the sentencing phase of the trial j ust after 10 a.m. Monday. The jurors will now decide Mr. Lee’s punishment, which could range from probation to 20 years in prison.
Prosecutor Josh Healy countered testimony from Mr. Lee’s mother and uncle by arguing that the man had already had enough chances.
In cross-examining the defense’s witnesses, he repeated that Mr. Lee is on six probations and was involved in the initiation shortly after a court removed an electronic monitor that he was required to wear for not reporting to his probation officer.
“He lasts two months and one week before committing a second-degree felony,” he told his probation officer. “Does someone like that sound like a good candidate for probation?”
The officer replied that it would not.
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Water main break floods streets, basement
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/The Dallas Morning News) - A broken water main created a miniature geyser near downtown Dallas Monday morning, flooding streets and the basement of a building near the Victory development.
City officials said an underground 8-inch main burst around 8 a.m. at Lamar and Broom streets near a Hooters restaurant and the White Swan building.
Officials said the break occurred after a chain of events that began when a delivery truck unknowingly hit a nearby fire hydrant. The fire hydrant broke off its base, causing a pressure surge in the line that cracked the water main.
For over half an hour, water shot into the air, cascading through the intersection and down a hill towards Houston Street. It also flooded the basement of the White Swan building, which is being renovated to become the House of Blues nightclub. Club management said the water would be pumped out and was not likely to affect the club's opening.
Water department crews remained on the scene at midday, cleaning up remaining water and digging up the street outside the building to repair the broken line.
WFAA-TV contributed to this report.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/The Dallas Morning News) - A broken water main created a miniature geyser near downtown Dallas Monday morning, flooding streets and the basement of a building near the Victory development.
City officials said an underground 8-inch main burst around 8 a.m. at Lamar and Broom streets near a Hooters restaurant and the White Swan building.
Officials said the break occurred after a chain of events that began when a delivery truck unknowingly hit a nearby fire hydrant. The fire hydrant broke off its base, causing a pressure surge in the line that cracked the water main.
For over half an hour, water shot into the air, cascading through the intersection and down a hill towards Houston Street. It also flooded the basement of the White Swan building, which is being renovated to become the House of Blues nightclub. Club management said the water would be pumped out and was not likely to affect the club's opening.
Water department crews remained on the scene at midday, cleaning up remaining water and digging up the street outside the building to repair the broken line.
WFAA-TV contributed to this report.
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Dallas adds $71m in new bond projects
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - In a unanimous straw vote Monday, the Dallas City Council agreed to add $71 million in new projects to its 2006 bond program, which is slated to go before voters in November.
If the non-binding decision remains unchanged between now and August, when the council must formally vote to approve the bond program, its value would exceed $1.35 billion, up from City Manager Mary Suhm's recommendation of $1.28 billion.
For Dallas homeowners, that translates into an annual tax increase of a small fraction of one cent per $100 in property valuation, Ms. Suhm said.
Thirteen of 15 council members this weekend added tens of millions of dollars worth of additional projects to the bond program proposal, arguing that their constituents demanded increased investments into such amenities as streets, libraries and parks. They did so over the objection of Mayor Laura Miller, who says she would prefer the bond program not exceed Ms. Suhm's recommendation in value.
Though unanimous in their vote, council members spent nearly three hours discussing the bond program increase. City bond programs are designed to fund major public works projects, often too expensive for inclusion in annual city budgets, by selling debt to investors.
Ms. Miller at one point argued that council members should remove any new items from the bond program that don't specifically appear on City Hall's public needs inventory, but they rebuffed her.
Ms. Miller, who along with council member Mitchell Rasansky did not add additional projects, then asked council members to explain the rationale behind each of the projects they added to the bond program this weekend. Many of her colleagues groaned, and some suggested Dallasites could log on to the city's Web site to review the projects on their own time.
"When I came in this morning, I hugged Mr. Natinsky," council member Leo Chaney said to Ms. Miller, pointing to council member Ron Natinsky. "North and south came together. We reached a consensus. And then you come in here today ... and you say, 'We don't want to go that route.' Don't push it. Let's have a good day."
Said Ms. Miller: "It's nice for the public if they know what we're adding. When you produce a list, we should discuss it. It's not a contentious thing to go through the list."
Council member Angela Hunt agreed that a full vetting of the new projects was appropriate, if only because "we don't want to convey any message that we're hiding anything."
And for the next hour, council members explained their various projects. They range from sidewalk repairs and street resurfacing, to drainage projects and recreation center maintenance, to $5 million in matching funds for a Dallas Arboretum parking garage.
"I don't think we have a council member who's put something on the list that isn't needed," council member Maxine Thornton-Reese said.
"Nobody wants to pay more taxes, and we don't want to flagrantly spend," Mr. Natinsky added. "But we'll spend what's needed to keep the city great. These are all qualified projects."
Afterward, Ms. Miller said she's relieved the council didn't spend add more than $71 million in projects to Ms. Suhm's recommendation, adding that she was particularly disappointed council members included more than $10 million in projects not on the city's established needs inventory.
Overall, she said, "it's a good bond package ... and we need to get the entire package passed."
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - In a unanimous straw vote Monday, the Dallas City Council agreed to add $71 million in new projects to its 2006 bond program, which is slated to go before voters in November.
If the non-binding decision remains unchanged between now and August, when the council must formally vote to approve the bond program, its value would exceed $1.35 billion, up from City Manager Mary Suhm's recommendation of $1.28 billion.
For Dallas homeowners, that translates into an annual tax increase of a small fraction of one cent per $100 in property valuation, Ms. Suhm said.
Thirteen of 15 council members this weekend added tens of millions of dollars worth of additional projects to the bond program proposal, arguing that their constituents demanded increased investments into such amenities as streets, libraries and parks. They did so over the objection of Mayor Laura Miller, who says she would prefer the bond program not exceed Ms. Suhm's recommendation in value.
Though unanimous in their vote, council members spent nearly three hours discussing the bond program increase. City bond programs are designed to fund major public works projects, often too expensive for inclusion in annual city budgets, by selling debt to investors.
Ms. Miller at one point argued that council members should remove any new items from the bond program that don't specifically appear on City Hall's public needs inventory, but they rebuffed her.
Ms. Miller, who along with council member Mitchell Rasansky did not add additional projects, then asked council members to explain the rationale behind each of the projects they added to the bond program this weekend. Many of her colleagues groaned, and some suggested Dallasites could log on to the city's Web site to review the projects on their own time.
"When I came in this morning, I hugged Mr. Natinsky," council member Leo Chaney said to Ms. Miller, pointing to council member Ron Natinsky. "North and south came together. We reached a consensus. And then you come in here today ... and you say, 'We don't want to go that route.' Don't push it. Let's have a good day."
Said Ms. Miller: "It's nice for the public if they know what we're adding. When you produce a list, we should discuss it. It's not a contentious thing to go through the list."
Council member Angela Hunt agreed that a full vetting of the new projects was appropriate, if only because "we don't want to convey any message that we're hiding anything."
And for the next hour, council members explained their various projects. They range from sidewalk repairs and street resurfacing, to drainage projects and recreation center maintenance, to $5 million in matching funds for a Dallas Arboretum parking garage.
"I don't think we have a council member who's put something on the list that isn't needed," council member Maxine Thornton-Reese said.
"Nobody wants to pay more taxes, and we don't want to flagrantly spend," Mr. Natinsky added. "But we'll spend what's needed to keep the city great. These are all qualified projects."
Afterward, Ms. Miller said she's relieved the council didn't spend add more than $71 million in projects to Ms. Suhm's recommendation, adding that she was particularly disappointed council members included more than $10 million in projects not on the city's established needs inventory.
Overall, she said, "it's a good bond package ... and we need to get the entire package passed."
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TXU to outsource electric delivery
By ELIZABETH SOUDER / The Dallas Morning News
TXU Corp. created a new company to operate its electric delivery business, and to offer the service of managing electricity wires and poles to other utilities across the country.
In a press release Monday, the Dallas power company said the new business, called InfrastruX Energy, is a joint venture of TXU Corp. and InfrastruX Group, a utility infrastructure construction company.
TXU also said on Monday it signed a ten-year, $8.7 billion agreement with InfrastruX Energy. The deal outsources maintenance, construction and power restoration duties to InfrastruX Energy. TXU Electric Delivery will still own the wires and poles, and will focus on long-range planning.
TXU said the outsourcing deal is the first of its kind in the utility industry.
The announcement comes after months of speculation that TXU might sell the electric delivery business entirely.
By ELIZABETH SOUDER / The Dallas Morning News
TXU Corp. created a new company to operate its electric delivery business, and to offer the service of managing electricity wires and poles to other utilities across the country.
In a press release Monday, the Dallas power company said the new business, called InfrastruX Energy, is a joint venture of TXU Corp. and InfrastruX Group, a utility infrastructure construction company.
TXU also said on Monday it signed a ten-year, $8.7 billion agreement with InfrastruX Energy. The deal outsources maintenance, construction and power restoration duties to InfrastruX Energy. TXU Electric Delivery will still own the wires and poles, and will focus on long-range planning.
TXU said the outsourcing deal is the first of its kind in the utility industry.
The announcement comes after months of speculation that TXU might sell the electric delivery business entirely.
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Testimony sheds light on fake drug scandal
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - The keys to the biggest scandal in the Dallas Police Department history may have been revealed Monday after one of the officers at the center testified that it was all about money.
Eddie Herrera, a former narcotics officer, testified that he and his partner, Mark Delapaz, stole money and crafted lies that put as many as two dozen innocent civilians in jail.
In January 2002, the innocent civilians were set up with fake drugs and jailed for months
According to Herrera, free flowing cash and a total lack of accountability from superiors allowed him and Delapaz to steal.
"...We knew nobody would question us about how much money we spent," he said. "It was easy to do."
Herrera said he and his partner lied about witnessing drug transactions and when it came time to pay the confidential informants for their work, they lied in the paperwork.
The former narcotics officer also said the partners lied about a payment on June 28, 2001 of $20,000 to a made-up an informant.
While Herrera said he bore witness to $55,000 in informant payouts, he testified in reality he was on vacation.
In all, Herrera said he forged $176,000 in informant payout receipts and implicated that Delapaz kept part of the payout.
However when pressed about his testimony, he couldn't prove that the payments weren't actually made.
But Herrera said he did witness other officers ignoring department procedures that made it easy for him and others to make extra cash.
"I would spend it on sometimes lunch, sometimes buying beer [and] sometimes going out," he said.
Dallas police said they were not surprised by the allegations and are working to make sure it doesn't happen again.
While Herrera's testimony can't answer every question, it did provide sobering insight into the consequences when accountability is compromised.
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - The keys to the biggest scandal in the Dallas Police Department history may have been revealed Monday after one of the officers at the center testified that it was all about money.
Eddie Herrera, a former narcotics officer, testified that he and his partner, Mark Delapaz, stole money and crafted lies that put as many as two dozen innocent civilians in jail.
In January 2002, the innocent civilians were set up with fake drugs and jailed for months
According to Herrera, free flowing cash and a total lack of accountability from superiors allowed him and Delapaz to steal.
"...We knew nobody would question us about how much money we spent," he said. "It was easy to do."
Herrera said he and his partner lied about witnessing drug transactions and when it came time to pay the confidential informants for their work, they lied in the paperwork.
The former narcotics officer also said the partners lied about a payment on June 28, 2001 of $20,000 to a made-up an informant.
While Herrera said he bore witness to $55,000 in informant payouts, he testified in reality he was on vacation.
In all, Herrera said he forged $176,000 in informant payout receipts and implicated that Delapaz kept part of the payout.
However when pressed about his testimony, he couldn't prove that the payments weren't actually made.
But Herrera said he did witness other officers ignoring department procedures that made it easy for him and others to make extra cash.
"I would spend it on sometimes lunch, sometimes buying beer [and] sometimes going out," he said.
Dallas police said they were not surprised by the allegations and are working to make sure it doesn't happen again.
While Herrera's testimony can't answer every question, it did provide sobering insight into the consequences when accountability is compromised.
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Blaze damages warehouse in industrial area of Dallas
No injuries reported; possibly flammable contents pose hazard
By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - A large fire near downtown Dallas damaged at least two businesses in a large warehouse Monday night.
No injuries were reported, and Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Joel Lavender said he didn't think anyone was inside the warehouse when the fire started about 8:50 p.m.
The cause of the fire, in the 100 block of Glass Street near the intersection of Oak Lawn Avenue and Industrial Boulevard, had not been determined.
The building houses Antique Drapery Rod Co. and its sister company, Anna Sova, which makes sheets and candles, said Jez Luckett, an accounts manager for Antique Drapery Rod. The businesses employ about 150 people, he said.
A police helicopter was checking for flying embers that may threaten businesses near the warehouse, which is about 40,000 square feet.
As of 10:25, the fire had been contained, though officials were concerned about materials such as lacquer that might cause flare-ups.
"What's actually supposed to be in the warehouse is not always what is inside, and that can give us additional challenges," Lt. Lavender said.
No injuries reported; possibly flammable contents pose hazard
By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - A large fire near downtown Dallas damaged at least two businesses in a large warehouse Monday night.
No injuries were reported, and Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Joel Lavender said he didn't think anyone was inside the warehouse when the fire started about 8:50 p.m.
The cause of the fire, in the 100 block of Glass Street near the intersection of Oak Lawn Avenue and Industrial Boulevard, had not been determined.
The building houses Antique Drapery Rod Co. and its sister company, Anna Sova, which makes sheets and candles, said Jez Luckett, an accounts manager for Antique Drapery Rod. The businesses employ about 150 people, he said.
A police helicopter was checking for flying embers that may threaten businesses near the warehouse, which is about 40,000 square feet.
As of 10:25, the fire had been contained, though officials were concerned about materials such as lacquer that might cause flare-ups.
"What's actually supposed to be in the warehouse is not always what is inside, and that can give us additional challenges," Lt. Lavender said.
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Cash infusion for struggling downtown grocery
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas City Hall will infuse struggling downtown grocer Urban Market with up to $100,000 during the next 60 days, effectively buying the city, investors and area businesses time to craft a longer-term plan to keep the market operating.
The $100,000 comes in the form of a dollar-for-dollar match with funds committed by Urban Market investors, Dallas Economic Development Director Karl Zavitkovsky.
“It’s going to take about two months to put a game plan together and vet it,” Mr. Zavitkovsky said. “And it’s going to have to involve somebody other than the public sector.”
In recent weeks, Urban Market investors have threatened to close the store, which they say has lost more than $1.2 million since opening in July. Operators blame delays in several downtown housing projects for slower-than-expected sales.
At a special City Council economic development and housing meeting Tuesday, several members described Urban Market as a crucial element of downtown Dallas’ redevelopment.
“I want badly to see the market succeed,” council member Angela Hunt said. But “the fact is that we can’t throw money down a black hole.”
Investors in the Interurban Building on Jackson Street, which houses Urban Market, asked the committee Tuesday to accelerate payment of more than $4 million in tax increment financing funds the city owes them, but offered no promises on whether that would help keep the market operating.
Downtown businesspeople are inquiring about investing in Urban Market, although no one from the market or city has approached them yet, said Peter Armato, president and chief executive officer of DowntownDallas, which represents center city businesses. Urban Market has also applied to receive a portion of $700,000 in retail recruitment and retention funds the city is making available to qualifying downtown businesses, Mr. Zavitkovsky said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Armato says downtown-based businesses are urging employees to simply shop more at Urban Market. “Revenue,” he said, “is more important than subsidy.”
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas City Hall will infuse struggling downtown grocer Urban Market with up to $100,000 during the next 60 days, effectively buying the city, investors and area businesses time to craft a longer-term plan to keep the market operating.
The $100,000 comes in the form of a dollar-for-dollar match with funds committed by Urban Market investors, Dallas Economic Development Director Karl Zavitkovsky.
“It’s going to take about two months to put a game plan together and vet it,” Mr. Zavitkovsky said. “And it’s going to have to involve somebody other than the public sector.”
In recent weeks, Urban Market investors have threatened to close the store, which they say has lost more than $1.2 million since opening in July. Operators blame delays in several downtown housing projects for slower-than-expected sales.
At a special City Council economic development and housing meeting Tuesday, several members described Urban Market as a crucial element of downtown Dallas’ redevelopment.
“I want badly to see the market succeed,” council member Angela Hunt said. But “the fact is that we can’t throw money down a black hole.”
Investors in the Interurban Building on Jackson Street, which houses Urban Market, asked the committee Tuesday to accelerate payment of more than $4 million in tax increment financing funds the city owes them, but offered no promises on whether that would help keep the market operating.
Downtown businesspeople are inquiring about investing in Urban Market, although no one from the market or city has approached them yet, said Peter Armato, president and chief executive officer of DowntownDallas, which represents center city businesses. Urban Market has also applied to receive a portion of $700,000 in retail recruitment and retention funds the city is making available to qualifying downtown businesses, Mr. Zavitkovsky said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Armato says downtown-based businesses are urging employees to simply shop more at Urban Market. “Revenue,” he said, “is more important than subsidy.”
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City OKs Urban Market funds
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Urban Market will remain open - for now.
Dallas City Hall will infuse the struggling downtown grocer with up to $100,000 during the next 60 days, effectively buying government officials, investors and area businesses time to craft a longer-term plan to keep it operating.
The $100,000 comes in the form of a dollar-for-dollar match with funds committed by Urban Market investors, Dallas Economic Development Director Karl Zavitkovsky said.
“It’s going to take about two months to put a game plan together and vet it,” Mr. Zavitkovsky said. “If it’s an asset for the community, then everyone needs to participate. This isn’t the responsibility of the city alone to carry this.”
In recent weeks, Urban Market investors have threatened to close the store, which they say has lost more than $1.2 million since opening in July. Operators blame delays in several downtown housing projects for slower-than-expected sales.
At a special City Council economic development and housing meeting Tuesday, several members described Urban Market as a crucial element of downtown Dallas’ redevelopment.
“I want badly to see the market succeed,” council member Angela Hunt said. But “the fact is that we can’t throw money down a black hole.”
Investors in the Interurban Building on Jackson Street, which houses Urban Market, asked the committee Tuesday to accelerate payment of more than $4 million in tax increment financing funds the city owes them.
But Barker Nichols principal Craig MacKenzie offered no promises on whether that would help keep the market operating. His primary contention: City Hall created a tax increment finance fund “queue,” which predetermines what downtown projects receive funding first, regardless of when they open for business.
The 90-year-old Interurban Building, filled with 134 apartment apartments in addition to Urban Market, opened ahead of schedule, but has yet to receive most of its tax increment financing funds. Other projects have been delayed months or years, but have their funding locked in.
Council member Ron Natinsky told Mr. MacKenzie that the TIF reimbursement and Urban Market’s health, while related, are really two separate issues, especially if Interurban Building investors don’t plan on pouring accelerated TIF funds into the market.
Mr. MacKenzie responded that his investors are “tapped out” and have been writing checks for months to keep the market open.
Downtown businesspeople are inquiring about investing in Urban Market, although no one from the market or city has approached them yet, said Peter Armato, president and chief executive officer of DowntownDallas, which represents center city businesses. Urban Market has also applied to receive a portion of $700,000 in retail recruitment and retention funds the city is making available to qualifying downtown businesses, Mr. Zavitkovsky said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Armato says downtown-based businesses are urging employees to simply shop more at Urban Market. “Revenue is more important than subsidy,” he said.
If there’s any good news about Urban Market’s financing, Mr. Armato added, it’s that month-over-month losses are growing smaller.
“Things are at least moving in the right direction,” he said.
By DAVE LEVINTHAL / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Urban Market will remain open - for now.
Dallas City Hall will infuse the struggling downtown grocer with up to $100,000 during the next 60 days, effectively buying government officials, investors and area businesses time to craft a longer-term plan to keep it operating.
The $100,000 comes in the form of a dollar-for-dollar match with funds committed by Urban Market investors, Dallas Economic Development Director Karl Zavitkovsky said.
“It’s going to take about two months to put a game plan together and vet it,” Mr. Zavitkovsky said. “If it’s an asset for the community, then everyone needs to participate. This isn’t the responsibility of the city alone to carry this.”
In recent weeks, Urban Market investors have threatened to close the store, which they say has lost more than $1.2 million since opening in July. Operators blame delays in several downtown housing projects for slower-than-expected sales.
At a special City Council economic development and housing meeting Tuesday, several members described Urban Market as a crucial element of downtown Dallas’ redevelopment.
“I want badly to see the market succeed,” council member Angela Hunt said. But “the fact is that we can’t throw money down a black hole.”
Investors in the Interurban Building on Jackson Street, which houses Urban Market, asked the committee Tuesday to accelerate payment of more than $4 million in tax increment financing funds the city owes them.
But Barker Nichols principal Craig MacKenzie offered no promises on whether that would help keep the market operating. His primary contention: City Hall created a tax increment finance fund “queue,” which predetermines what downtown projects receive funding first, regardless of when they open for business.
The 90-year-old Interurban Building, filled with 134 apartment apartments in addition to Urban Market, opened ahead of schedule, but has yet to receive most of its tax increment financing funds. Other projects have been delayed months or years, but have their funding locked in.
Council member Ron Natinsky told Mr. MacKenzie that the TIF reimbursement and Urban Market’s health, while related, are really two separate issues, especially if Interurban Building investors don’t plan on pouring accelerated TIF funds into the market.
Mr. MacKenzie responded that his investors are “tapped out” and have been writing checks for months to keep the market open.
Downtown businesspeople are inquiring about investing in Urban Market, although no one from the market or city has approached them yet, said Peter Armato, president and chief executive officer of DowntownDallas, which represents center city businesses. Urban Market has also applied to receive a portion of $700,000 in retail recruitment and retention funds the city is making available to qualifying downtown businesses, Mr. Zavitkovsky said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Armato says downtown-based businesses are urging employees to simply shop more at Urban Market. “Revenue is more important than subsidy,” he said.
If there’s any good news about Urban Market’s financing, Mr. Armato added, it’s that month-over-month losses are growing smaller.
“Things are at least moving in the right direction,” he said.
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TexasStooge
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Plano cell tower fire probed
Mobile phone service may be disrupted
PLANO, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - As investigators worked Tuesday to determine what caused a fire that destroyed a Plano cell phone tower, telecom crews were setting up temporary facilities to minimize the impact on cellular users.
The blaze, which Plano fire officials said broke out around 1:30 p.m. Monday in the 2400 block of Preston Road near West Park Boulevard, burned a wooden framework built to disguise the tower, destroying the equipment inside.
Cingular Wireless spokeswoman Annette Teter said the company deployed a team of engineers and portable cellular facilities to the site late Monday, and is activating another 100-foot tower to minimize service impact.
She said some area customers may experience some difficulty with placing or receiving calls until service is fully restored.
Mobile phone service may be disrupted
PLANO, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - As investigators worked Tuesday to determine what caused a fire that destroyed a Plano cell phone tower, telecom crews were setting up temporary facilities to minimize the impact on cellular users.
The blaze, which Plano fire officials said broke out around 1:30 p.m. Monday in the 2400 block of Preston Road near West Park Boulevard, burned a wooden framework built to disguise the tower, destroying the equipment inside.
Cingular Wireless spokeswoman Annette Teter said the company deployed a team of engineers and portable cellular facilities to the site late Monday, and is activating another 100-foot tower to minimize service impact.
She said some area customers may experience some difficulty with placing or receiving calls until service is fully restored.
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Dallas Tollway construction causes backup
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - As construction continues, the downtown commute for tens of thousands of North Texas commuters on the Dallas North Tollway has begun to take longer.
The North Texas Tollway Authority recently started a two-year, $34 million construction program to repave lanes on each side of the Wycliff Avenue toll plaza.
On the Dallas North Tollway just outside downtown, driver aggravation seems to increase especially in the southbound lanes as drivers continuously put their feet on their breaks in heavy traffic.
"... I feel what they're doing right now has caused it to back up more than what it usually was," said one driver.
Bridges are scheduled to be replaced; and the 40-year-old toll plaza will be knocked down and replaced with a new one that is much like the one at Gaylord Parkway Plaza in Frisco.
However, that means narrowing lanes from three to two and to one express lane at construction times.
Some daily tollway drivers said they wish the backup would go away.
"With the construction going on everywhere else, you would think they could alleviate it down there," said a driver.
The NTTA said it has not seen any drop off in traffic or toll revenue at the Wycliff Plaza since June 14 when the project started, but some drivers said they are looking for other routes.
"You can cut through Highland Park pretty good," the driver said. "That's what I am doing right now actually."
Another driver said she doesn't like paying to stop and sit.
"It's more than 60 cents, because depending from where you're coming from, and when you get off you're going to spend anywhere from $2 to $3 and you're just waiting in traffic," she said.
_____________________________________________________________
Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse
By BRAD WATSON / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - As construction continues, the downtown commute for tens of thousands of North Texas commuters on the Dallas North Tollway has begun to take longer.
The North Texas Tollway Authority recently started a two-year, $34 million construction program to repave lanes on each side of the Wycliff Avenue toll plaza.
On the Dallas North Tollway just outside downtown, driver aggravation seems to increase especially in the southbound lanes as drivers continuously put their feet on their breaks in heavy traffic.
"... I feel what they're doing right now has caused it to back up more than what it usually was," said one driver.
Bridges are scheduled to be replaced; and the 40-year-old toll plaza will be knocked down and replaced with a new one that is much like the one at Gaylord Parkway Plaza in Frisco.
However, that means narrowing lanes from three to two and to one express lane at construction times.
Some daily tollway drivers said they wish the backup would go away.
"With the construction going on everywhere else, you would think they could alleviate it down there," said a driver.
The NTTA said it has not seen any drop off in traffic or toll revenue at the Wycliff Plaza since June 14 when the project started, but some drivers said they are looking for other routes.
"You can cut through Highland Park pretty good," the driver said. "That's what I am doing right now actually."
Another driver said she doesn't like paying to stop and sit.
"It's more than 60 cents, because depending from where you're coming from, and when you get off you're going to spend anywhere from $2 to $3 and you're just waiting in traffic," she said.
_____________________________________________________________
Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse
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TexasStooge
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Police department salutes retiring assistant chief
By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - As Shirley Gray retires from the Dallas Police Department, officers saluted the first African American woman to become an assistant chief Monday.
"Shirley was among the first in every point in her career," said Chief David Kunkle. "Not only were you the first Shirley, you were the best."
Chief Gray started as a recruit in June of 1969 when there were few women on the force.
"At the time, people did not believe it was possible for women to work in patrol cars," Chief Kunkle said.
But Chief Gray, and other female pioneers, forged ahead proving to the men they could hold their own.
"You can't come in prissy," Chief Gray said. "You have to come in, give it up and be a police officer. You have to start from the bottom and you have to work yourself up to the top."
She did that by becoming the first African American woman deputy chief in 1995. She commanded some of the toughest divisions in the department, including the southeast patrol, the tactical unit and homicide.
A few years later, she became the highest ranking African American women in the department when she was promoted to assistant chief.
"There is no glass ceiling if this is something you want to do," she said.
While Chief Gray is leaving, one fellow female officer said she'll always be a part of the department.
"...It's kind of like the Eagle's song "Hotel California," she can check out anytime she wants, but she can never leave us," said Chief Pat Paulhill.
Chief Gray expressed gratitude in return for all the praise.
"I have always learned that probably the two greatest words in the English language [are] thank you," she said.
By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - As Shirley Gray retires from the Dallas Police Department, officers saluted the first African American woman to become an assistant chief Monday.
"Shirley was among the first in every point in her career," said Chief David Kunkle. "Not only were you the first Shirley, you were the best."
Chief Gray started as a recruit in June of 1969 when there were few women on the force.
"At the time, people did not believe it was possible for women to work in patrol cars," Chief Kunkle said.
But Chief Gray, and other female pioneers, forged ahead proving to the men they could hold their own.
"You can't come in prissy," Chief Gray said. "You have to come in, give it up and be a police officer. You have to start from the bottom and you have to work yourself up to the top."
She did that by becoming the first African American woman deputy chief in 1995. She commanded some of the toughest divisions in the department, including the southeast patrol, the tactical unit and homicide.
A few years later, she became the highest ranking African American women in the department when she was promoted to assistant chief.
"There is no glass ceiling if this is something you want to do," she said.
While Chief Gray is leaving, one fellow female officer said she'll always be a part of the department.
"...It's kind of like the Eagle's song "Hotel California," she can check out anytime she wants, but she can never leave us," said Chief Pat Paulhill.
Chief Gray expressed gratitude in return for all the praise.
"I have always learned that probably the two greatest words in the English language [are] thank you," she said.
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TexasStooge
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'Railroad Killer' executed in Texas prison
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - A train-hopping serial killer linked to at least 15 murders near railroad tracks around the country said "I deserve what I am getting" before he was executed Tuesday night.
Angel Maturino Resendiz mumbled a prayer, saying "Lord, forgive me. Lord, forgive me," and acknowledged the presence of relatives watching through a nearby window.
"I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me," he said as he looked toward the relatives of victims in another room. "You don't have to. I know I allowed the devil to rule my life."
"I thank God for having patience for me. I don't deserve to cause you pain. You did not deserve this. I deserve what I am getting," he said.
Resendiz, 46, was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m. CDT.
The Mexican drifter known as the "Railroad Killer" was executed for the slaying of physician Claudia Benton 71/2 years ago. She was killed during a deadly spree in 1998 and 1999 that earned Resendiz a spot on the FBI's Most Wanted list as authorities searched for a murderer who slipped across the U.S. border and roamed the country by freight train.
Benton was stabbed with a kitchen knife, bludgeoned with a 2-foot bronze statue and raped in 1998 in her Houston home, just down the street from a railroad track.
Authorities realized they were pursuing a serial killer when DNA evidence tied Resendiz to Benton's murder and the killings of a church pastor and his wife who were beaten with a sledgehammer as they slept in their house near tracks outside Houston.
A month later, the Mexican drifter walked across the international bridge at El Paso from Mexico and surrendered to police as part of a deal arranged by his sister.
Benton's husband, George, witnessed Resendiz's execution "to make the statement that people have to understand what evil really is."
"I tried to figure this guy out - the type of killer who would choose people at random, lie in wait and watch their houses until it's dark and then kill them with something of convenience from their own house," Benton said. "It's beyond my comprehension. I can't really consider the depths of that human behavior."
The execution was the 13th of the year in the nation's most active death penalty state.
The execution was delayed almost two hours before the U.S. Supreme Court rejected several last-day appeals. Resendiz's lead appeals lawyer, Jack Zimmermann, had argued that his client, who described himself as half-man and half-angel, told psychiatrists he couldn't be executed because he didn't believe he could die.
The court also rejected an appeal by the Houston-based consul general of Mexico questioning the Mexican national's competency and challenging the constitutionality of the lethal injection process as cruel and unusual punishment. Capital punishment is not allowed in Mexico.
"We do look after the rights of Mexican nationals," Consul General Carlos Gonzalez said. "We watch to make sure the law is applied fairly to a Mexican national."
In an interview shortly after arriving on death row in 2000, Resendiz said he recalled the attacks as if were watching something through a tunnel. "Everything you see is in a distance," he said. "Everything is slow and silent."
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) - A train-hopping serial killer linked to at least 15 murders near railroad tracks around the country said "I deserve what I am getting" before he was executed Tuesday night.
Angel Maturino Resendiz mumbled a prayer, saying "Lord, forgive me. Lord, forgive me," and acknowledged the presence of relatives watching through a nearby window.
"I want to ask if it is in your heart to forgive me," he said as he looked toward the relatives of victims in another room. "You don't have to. I know I allowed the devil to rule my life."
"I thank God for having patience for me. I don't deserve to cause you pain. You did not deserve this. I deserve what I am getting," he said.
Resendiz, 46, was pronounced dead at 8:05 p.m. CDT.
The Mexican drifter known as the "Railroad Killer" was executed for the slaying of physician Claudia Benton 71/2 years ago. She was killed during a deadly spree in 1998 and 1999 that earned Resendiz a spot on the FBI's Most Wanted list as authorities searched for a murderer who slipped across the U.S. border and roamed the country by freight train.
Benton was stabbed with a kitchen knife, bludgeoned with a 2-foot bronze statue and raped in 1998 in her Houston home, just down the street from a railroad track.
Authorities realized they were pursuing a serial killer when DNA evidence tied Resendiz to Benton's murder and the killings of a church pastor and his wife who were beaten with a sledgehammer as they slept in their house near tracks outside Houston.
A month later, the Mexican drifter walked across the international bridge at El Paso from Mexico and surrendered to police as part of a deal arranged by his sister.
Benton's husband, George, witnessed Resendiz's execution "to make the statement that people have to understand what evil really is."
"I tried to figure this guy out - the type of killer who would choose people at random, lie in wait and watch their houses until it's dark and then kill them with something of convenience from their own house," Benton said. "It's beyond my comprehension. I can't really consider the depths of that human behavior."
The execution was the 13th of the year in the nation's most active death penalty state.
The execution was delayed almost two hours before the U.S. Supreme Court rejected several last-day appeals. Resendiz's lead appeals lawyer, Jack Zimmermann, had argued that his client, who described himself as half-man and half-angel, told psychiatrists he couldn't be executed because he didn't believe he could die.
The court also rejected an appeal by the Houston-based consul general of Mexico questioning the Mexican national's competency and challenging the constitutionality of the lethal injection process as cruel and unusual punishment. Capital punishment is not allowed in Mexico.
"We do look after the rights of Mexican nationals," Consul General Carlos Gonzalez said. "We watch to make sure the law is applied fairly to a Mexican national."
In an interview shortly after arriving on death row in 2000, Resendiz said he recalled the attacks as if were watching something through a tunnel. "Everything you see is in a distance," he said. "Everything is slow and silent."
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Plano Episcopal church to pull out
By JEFF BRADY / WFAA ABC 8
PLANO, Texas - You're a member of a church, any church, and you take guidance from your national body.
What happens when you split from the body, essentially separating from church law, and perhaps even civil law?
Members of Christ Church Episcopal in Plano are about to find out.
It is the country's largest Episcopal congregation and the rector now says he will lead his parishioners out of the denomination.
Father David Roseberry founded Christ Church 21 years ago, as an Episcopal parish in Plano. Today, it is the biggest Episcopal Church in the country, now he says it's time to walk away.
"The teaching of the Episcopal Church is erroneous and we need to get out from under it," he said.
The divisive issues - gay, lesbian and trans-gender marriage, which Roseberry says flies in the face of Biblical principles and Christian tradition.
"The Episcopal Church is opening up all aspects of the church's life to people who have that kind of sexual bent, and that's clearly against the teachings of scripture, and the historic faith."
But that history is being re-interpreted.
Last week, delegates to the Episcopal General Convention elected Nevada Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Shori as their first female leader - ever.
It's not her gender that bothers Roseberry - but her theology.
"She viewed Jesus in an iconographic way as our mother."
She also supported the confirmation of Gene Robinson as the first openly-gay bishop, a move Roseberry opposed.
"She, in her own diocese, viewed the blessings of same sex unions very favorably, has allowed it in her own diocesan convention... has encouraged it."
Christ Church will not be the first to split with the Episcopalian Church over this issue, but because of its size and prominence, more than 2,200 people worship here every weekend, this decision could encourage other churches to follow suit.
"I think there are hundreds and hundreds of other congregations in exactly the same situation," he said.
Soon, this church will remove all Episcopal terminology - and be known simply as Christ Church.
A congregation apart - and parting ways.
By JEFF BRADY / WFAA ABC 8
PLANO, Texas - You're a member of a church, any church, and you take guidance from your national body.
What happens when you split from the body, essentially separating from church law, and perhaps even civil law?
Members of Christ Church Episcopal in Plano are about to find out.
It is the country's largest Episcopal congregation and the rector now says he will lead his parishioners out of the denomination.
Father David Roseberry founded Christ Church 21 years ago, as an Episcopal parish in Plano. Today, it is the biggest Episcopal Church in the country, now he says it's time to walk away.
"The teaching of the Episcopal Church is erroneous and we need to get out from under it," he said.
The divisive issues - gay, lesbian and trans-gender marriage, which Roseberry says flies in the face of Biblical principles and Christian tradition.
"The Episcopal Church is opening up all aspects of the church's life to people who have that kind of sexual bent, and that's clearly against the teachings of scripture, and the historic faith."
But that history is being re-interpreted.
Last week, delegates to the Episcopal General Convention elected Nevada Bishop Katherine Jefferts-Shori as their first female leader - ever.
It's not her gender that bothers Roseberry - but her theology.
"She viewed Jesus in an iconographic way as our mother."
She also supported the confirmation of Gene Robinson as the first openly-gay bishop, a move Roseberry opposed.
"She, in her own diocese, viewed the blessings of same sex unions very favorably, has allowed it in her own diocesan convention... has encouraged it."
Christ Church will not be the first to split with the Episcopalian Church over this issue, but because of its size and prominence, more than 2,200 people worship here every weekend, this decision could encourage other churches to follow suit.
"I think there are hundreds and hundreds of other congregations in exactly the same situation," he said.
Soon, this church will remove all Episcopal terminology - and be known simply as Christ Church.
A congregation apart - and parting ways.
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TexasStooge
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Fire damages Casa View shops
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A three-alarm blaze heavily damaged a clothing store at a Far East Dallas shopping center early Wednesday.
Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Lavender said the fire began around 3:45 a.m. at the Casa View shopping center near Ferguson and Gus Thomasson roads, and went to three alarms, primarily for manpower reasons.
Crews were able to keep the blaze contained in a storage room at the Rainbow clothing store, but more than $400,000 of the store’s inventory was damaged.
Pop’s Spaghetti House, a Dallas staple since the 1930s that has been in its Casa View location for decades, also sustained smoke and water damage, Lavender said.
Investigators were working to determine a cause of the fire.
DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A three-alarm blaze heavily damaged a clothing store at a Far East Dallas shopping center early Wednesday.
Dallas Fire-Rescue spokesman Lt. Joel Lavender said the fire began around 3:45 a.m. at the Casa View shopping center near Ferguson and Gus Thomasson roads, and went to three alarms, primarily for manpower reasons.
Crews were able to keep the blaze contained in a storage room at the Rainbow clothing store, but more than $400,000 of the store’s inventory was damaged.
Pop’s Spaghetti House, a Dallas staple since the 1930s that has been in its Casa View location for decades, also sustained smoke and water damage, Lavender said.
Investigators were working to determine a cause of the fire.
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