We need time to let it sink and just process the news we've waited on for 2 years. [1], David Malcolm Strickland was convicted of the crime in 2014. "While we know the community has many questions, this is still an active investigation and we would not want to do anything to jeopardize the case," Portland Police Chief Gary Giles said in a news release. Portland police have not provided details about how Strickland was linked to the case. [12][13], On September 28, 2016, a San Patricio County jury found David Strickland guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. In 2019, one of Strickland's attorneys said a man from Nevada, whose DNA was found at the scene, was actually responsible for the crime. [18]. Both women were stripped of their clothes and left for dead after being shot execution-style. Daly Mellinger holds Norma Jean, a Boston Chihuaha, as she watches the vigil with Jennifer Cota at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. "(Strickland) cannot take the gun, computer or ID evidence away. A birdwatching couple at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas, came across Mollie and Kristenes bodies on the morning of June 23, 2012. IE 11 is not supported. David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. At the time, Strickland denied shooting and raping the girls. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. Emailus. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. A few days after the attack, a man named David Strickland went to the police to provide information regarding something he saw on the night of the shootings. Just come now, Roel Garza said in 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV. facing charges of capital murder, aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated sexual assault in the June 23, 2012, attack, who tried to claw her way out of the thorny brush. However, at that point, the authorities had another suspect, Dylan Spellman, who was linked to the crime scene through DNA evidence. Samantha Garrett, Olgins roommate, said that the couple had not received any threats or hateful remarks about their new relationship. Neighbors described Jennifer Phillips as, in the words of KRIS-TV, the heart of the community, and Eli as a playful soul., [Screengrab of memorial for Jennifer Phillips and Eli Garza at their home via KIII], Have a tip we should know? A resident of a nearby home said that she heard two loud bangs the night of the events, but discounted the sounds as firecrackers. Attorneys for convicted killer David Strickland are asking for a hearing along with records they hope will prove someone else was to blame for the 2012 double shooting in a Portland park. 47 Two years after a brutal attack on a female couple near Corpus Christi made national headlines, a break in the case has resulted in two arrests. Shell casings collected from the crime scene then matched one of Davids firearms. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. Here's the latest. WebMollie Olgin was a 19-year-old woman murdered on June 22, 2012 in Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas after she and her girlfriend were attacked and shot. [2], On June 23, 2012, birdwatchers at Violet Andrews Park called police after discovering two women's bodies lying below a viewing deck. Friends of the girls have said that Olgin and Chapa began dating five months ago. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. The motion also states the evidence presented at trial is "insufficient to sustain Strickland's conviction. "There were some measures taken by the suspect Mr. Garza earlier in the evening in preparatory of this double homicide," said Cheif Cory. They believed that the couple was attacked somewhere around midnight, and the assailant bound and blindfolded the women. "My body will never be 100% again. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. He was arrested on 6 May, after a police report from a couple he had attacked by the lake on the day of the murder. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Chapa suffered tunnel vision and lost part of her mobility. David Strickland was not the person who killed a 19-year-old in a Portland park, and new DNA evidence proves it, attorneys for Strickland say. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. "Not only was his DNA found on objects left at the crime scene, but a lab report now undeniably shows that the hair pulled from Kristine Chapas body is in fact (the man's) hair," the November motion states. KRIS 6 News obtained the almost 20 second audio clip of the police call to Portland PD, but some of it was inaudible. Police said Hlavka had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the electric cord from her clock radio.[1]. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; The chief described the fathers preliminary actions in general terms. The Layton man was tracked down, but he had a solid alibi for the night of the murder. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. (AP Photo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Michael Zamora), A crime scene investigator takes pictures of an evidence marker near some playground equipment Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. Photo: Portland Police Department, Laura Strickland, 23, was arrested June 20, 2014, in Helotes. When questioned about the letter, the Layton man noted a photo of him included in the letter had been taken by Strickland's wife Laura. His sentence will automatically be appealed. It was higher than in 44.6% U.S. cities. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Kevin Porter Jr. return can't end Rockets' growing losing streak, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, A new musical spotlights a Texas bank-robbing legend. His sentence will automatically be appealed. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. 0:59 David Strickland was not the person who killed a 19-year-old in a Portland park, and new DNA evidence proves it, attorneys for Strickland say. All rights reserved. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. He contacted family members Friday evening, said Cory, who did not elaborate much. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for the two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. Despite having the sketches, Portland Police, who were investigating the case with help from the Texas Rangers, had no leads until earlier this month. Chief Wright said that although the events did seem more like measured attacks than a random action, they were not currently investigating the murder as a hate crime. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Jason Haas and Veronika Fimbres embrace during a vigil. David remains incarcerated at the William G. McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. Attorneys for convicted killer David Strickland are asking for a hearing along with records they hope will prove someone else was to blame for the 2012 double shooting in a Portland park. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. U.S. Sister Peggy Ritual and Jason Haas share a moment of silence at a vigil. Here's the latest. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. PHOTOS: A Visual History of the Gay-Rights Movement. She is charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the 2012 attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. Police Chief Randy Wright says there's no evidence that the attack was motivated by their relationship. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty and Strickland was sentenced to life imprisonment. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. U.S. He is now appealing the conviction based on new DNA evidence that his attorneys claim prove he was wrongly convicted. Teen lesbian couple found shot in Texas park, A Visual History of the Gay-Rights Movement, 13-Year-Old Girl Finds Porn On New Cell Phone, These Are North Koreas 28 State-Approved Hairstyles, Mountain Dews Dub the Dew Online Poll Goes Horribly Wrong. The chief described the mother as struck multiple times in the head., We had four officers on scene, and it was rough on them, Cory said. 47 Two years after a brutal attack on a female couple near Corpus Christi made national headlines, a break in the case has resulted in two arrests. Convicted in 1979 of aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. Authorities said last year they didnt believe the attack was a hate crime, but they hadnt established a motive. We have a lot of evidence to still continue to process, he said. ", More: Sign up to have news emailed to you daily. [9], Layton Police investigating the burglary had discovered evidence in Strickland's car including two guns, ammunition, a suppressor, gloves and a backpack containing condoms, flex handcuffs, bolt cutters, a knife and other items. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. His wife faces charges of tampering with evidence. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. [9] A draft of the letter to the Chapa family was found on Strickland's computer. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we. "Once we have a warrant, we start doing everything on our end to find the person as quickly as possible," Bozeman said. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their sonEli Garza, 5. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. 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