CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE POSSIBLE DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE BY THE HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLE’S OFFICE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Michael J. McQuerry
September 7, 2016 202-225-7080
PRESS STATEMENT
CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE POSSIBLE DESTRUCTION OF EVIDENCE BY THE HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLE’S OFFICE
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after requesting an immediate investigation to the possible unlawful destruction of over 20,000 pieces of evidence by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office:
“Recently it was reported that the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office may have possibly destroyed over 20,000 pieces of evidence. This egregious miscarriage of justice demands a thorough and vigilant review of policies and practices for at least the prior 10 years of cases handled and processed by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. It has been reported by the Houston Chronicle and other media outlets that the Harris County District Attorney recently dismissed 142 criminal cases and is currently reviewing more than 1,000 additional pending cases in response to mishandled evidence needed for trial by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office. In particular, Corporal Chris Hess was found responsible and his employment terminated for throwing out at least 21,500 pieces of evidence held in a property room in January of this year. An internal investigation by the Harris County Precinct 4 revealed that Mr. Hess had been destroying evidence in direct violation of evidence control protocol since 2007. At this time no charges have been formally filed against Mr. Hess or any other individual responsible for the mass destruction of evidence. An internal audit and lack of complete accountability will not suffice when thousands of lives have been jeopardized and likely ruined by the failure to protect the integrity and basic legal rights demanded within our criminal justice system.
“It is unfortunate that this is not the only grievous instance of misconduct and broken trust for residents of Harris County, Texas. From horrific jail conditions, use of excessive and fatal police force, a failed system of grand jury mishaps, and various other incidents and cases that have called upon the continued scrutiny and action of the Department of Justice, Harris County has long been plagued with the inability to resolve deeply imbedded policies and practices of misguided and tainted justice without federal intervention and oversight.
“An administrative practice of catastrophic record-keeping by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office provides no exception. The ability to receive unfettered justice in Harris County cannot be achieved until immediate action is taken to address and eliminate a deeply flawed and broken system of justice. Unacceptable and unlawful procedures and practices can no longer jeopardize the lives and liberty of countless individuals, or the future and integrity of the Harris County criminal justice system.
“I am asking the Department of Justice to take immediate action and to conduct a thorough investigation into the disregard for the protection and preservation of the rights of victims and defendants within the justice system of Harris County Precinct 4.”