Then, he took it back. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. It was written from the perspective of a hitman who claimed that someone from Layton, Utah, was responsible for the attacks and had wanted Kristene dead. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Jason Haas and Veronika Fimbres embrace during a vigil. ', Garza replied 'just come now'. 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 Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. They believed that the couple was attacked somewhere around midnight, and the assailant bound and blindfolded the women. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we. Gay rights groups have called for a thorough police investigation into the fatal shooting of a teenage woman and wounding of her girlfriend in the park. [8], Shortly before trial, George Koumbis, a local gun store owner and the husband of a defense witness, was murdered in his own store in an apparent robbery-gone-wrong. DNA testing was previously pending ona pubichair found on Chapa. His attorney, Cynthia Orr, told the Caller-Times that the type of DNA testing technology that would be conducted on a piece of pubic hair found on Chapa was not available during the time of Strickland's trial. 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. Man and wife jailed in 2-year-old attack on female couple near Corpus Christi, Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparently shot by a mysterious assailant in Portland, Texas Friday night. A search of his belongings also revealed a letter similar to the one received by the Chapa family. Thats always something that were looking for, but as of this point, we have not been able to establish that that had anything to do with the attack, Wright said. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. He is charged with capital murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 2012 attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. "My body will never be 100% again. On Jan. 31, police announced that Jerry Walter McFadden of Texas had killed Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland on Jan. 24, 1979. [10], David Strickland and his wife Laura Strickland were arrested on June 20, 2014 and held at San Patricio County jail. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. The suspected shooter allegedly forced the girls down a steep incline in the quiet bayside park, bound them and shot them in the head. "He couldn't even look at me, which was disappointing, because I wanted him to see what he had done.". "I kept waiting. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. Strickland was expected to be transferred to a jail in Sinton, outside of Portland, on Saturday, Giles said. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [15] The appeal was denied in January 2020. [7], In January 2019, McFadden was linked by DNA via GEDmatch to the July 24, 1979 murder of Anna Marie Hlavka; Anna was found dead by her sister inside her apartment. [6], In 2018, advances in testing technology allowed for DNA identification of a hair found on Chapa's body. The gunshot initially left Chapa unable to sit or stand, with the bullet piercing the part of her brain controlling movements on her left side. The incident was premeditated. 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. Julie Pousson (left) cries during a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. Since joining the Houston Chronicle staff in 1998, she has covered various beats, including criminal courts and transportation. Police Chief Randy Wright says there's no evidence that the attack was motivated by their relationship. He contacted family members Friday evening, said Cory, who did not elaborate much. Carol got started in journalism while teaching English in Poland during martial law. David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. [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. The type of DNA testing being done uses technology that wasn't available at the time of Strickland's trial. The hair was matched to an initial suspect in the crime, Dylan Spellman, who had recently pleaded guilty to his involvement in an armed robbery in Nevada in which he and his cohorts referred to each other by numbers, mirroring the way Mollie and Kristene were referred to as "number one" and "number two" during their assault. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. Shell casings collected from the crime scene then matched one of Davids firearms. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. Its a difficult situation when you walk in on a welfare check and then you discover three deceased bodies, and especially ones a child.. Eyewitnesses also placed Spellman at Violet Andrews Park both before and after the crime. U.S. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. [12][13], On September 28, 2016, a San Patricio County jury found David Strickland guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. People run under a giant rainbow flag after a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. Vigils were held across the county by the LGBT community, and some suspected the case could be a hate crime. Mollie 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. "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. [3], Other evidence included in the arrest warrant included the fact that a gun in Strickland's possession was matched to bullet casings at the crime scene. Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital murder. We need time to let it sink and just process the news we've waited on for 2 years. The chief described the fathers preliminary actions in general terms. 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. Ive been trying to think of anybody I know that would try and hurt them for any reason, Garrett said, and not one person comes to mind.. The episode can be streamed on the NBC app or online atwww.nbcnews.com/dateline. Though he was suspected by police for two years, hewas never charged in the case. It was sufficient evidence for the jury, and, regardless of the veracity of this alleged DNA test results is still sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction," the motion states. The biological evidence then became a point of contention, seemingly highlighting his potential involvement in the crime. David M. Strickland, 27, and his wife, Laura K. Strickland, 23, were arrested June 20 at their home in Helotes in the San Antonio area. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2016. Messages left by NBC News seeking comment from Chapa and her family werent immediately returned. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. Paroled in December 1978. Kristene Chapa, left, accompanied by her mother Grace Chapa, opened up about a 2012 attack in Texas that killed her girlfriend on "The View," Oct. 29, 2019. Almost exactly two years earlier, on June 22, 2012, Mollie Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, who was then 18, were found in a birdwatching area at Violet Andrews Park in Portland near Corpus Christi. Samantha Garrett, Olgins roommate, said that the couple had not received any threats or hateful remarks about their new relationship. Mollie, 19, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was pronounced dead on the scene. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. Gay rights groups have called for a thorough police investigation into the fatal shooting of a teenage woman and wounding of her girlfriend in the park. WebAMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Police say a Texas mother has been charged with murder in the death of her 2-month-old baby, KFDA reports. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. [12][14][15], Attorneys for Strickland filed a motion for his conviction to be overturned based on the newfound DNA evidence, which District Attorney Sam Smith dismissed on an updated episode of Dateline. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. 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. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. Every episode of ABC's award-winning talk show "The View" is now available as a podcast! The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. "Once we have a warrant, we start doing everything on our end to find the person as quickly as possible," Bozeman said. The letter included details that hadn't been released to the media. "There are still a lot of things that that we cannot release but we're confident that we do have our person.". 2023 TIME USA, LLC. 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. Portland police released two composite sketches of the male shooter, based upon information from Chapa as she recuperated. 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. It was higher than in 44.6% U.S. cities. Police said Hlavka had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the electric cord from her clock radio.[1]. On May 4, 1986, McFadden kidnapped 20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison as they took a trip to Lake Hawkins north of Tyler, Texas. The Portland Police Department released this sketch July 4, 2012, in the attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. But Kristene, who was 18 years old at the time, was still alive and rushed to a hospital, where she recovered over time. 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. Gerald Walter McFadden was born on March 21, 1948, in Haskell County Texas. "I felt powerful, like I took my power back to be able to stand up against him," Chapa said. Its apparent in the investigation that once the suspect Mr. Garza made the call to the police department, he committed suicide in the bedroom where the wife and child had already been killed, Cory said. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. DNA evidence was collected from the bodies at this time. An expert witness for the defense testified that the confession was false because David was repeatedly told his wife would be charged if he didnt confess. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. I do miss it a lot and, like, even being able to pick up my niece and nephews. A memorial is seen at the corner of Market and Castro Streets during a vigil for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa (pictured). U.S. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. Report: Houston is the No. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. 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. 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. The women had been sexually assaulted and shot in the head around midnight the previous evening. Crimes scene investigators take evidence back to their vans Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. "We are confident that we have the person responsible for this horrific crime in custody. David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. He was also seen talking to people at the crime scene, telling them that his partner, Laura, knew one of the victims. Have a tip or story idea? In the beginning, the authorities used Kristenes help to create a composite sketch of the attacker. Strickland's appealis still making it's way through the legal system. Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, and her girlfriend, Mollie Olgin, 19, were shot in the head at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas on June 22. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. Here's the latest. First responders discovered Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. Just come now, Roel Garza said in 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. Olgin died and Chapa continues to recover after the two were shot June 23 at the park. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. [9], Strickland was not charged with a hate crime because authorities found no evidence to indicate the women were targeted due to their sexuality but were likely random targets. I want to have my independence back.". [1], David Malcolm Strickland was convicted of the crime in 2014. Officers described finding a tragic, horrifying murder scene at the home in northeast Portland. When police arrived, they found the front door open, and found a family of three, 5-year-old Eli Garza, 36-year-old Jennifer Phillips, and 52-year-old Roel Garza dead in the child's bedroom. Strickland told investigators he composed the letter two weeks before his arrest and printed it out at a public library computer. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. She has recovered those abilities but was still recently undergoing physical rehabilitation. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012, Defense: New DNA results exonerate man convicted in 2012 double shooting in Portland, 'Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin' episode about 2012 Portland attack of teens to air, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The motion also states the evidence presented at trial is "insufficient to sustain Strickland's conviction. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. At the time, David was accused of burglarizing his home, and the evidence collected was turned over to the Portland police. [17] The complaints against Strickland's father and Taft Pharmacy were later dropped from the lawsuit. San Patricio County prosecutors argued that even if the hair came from another man, it would not exonerate Strickland. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; McFadden had been convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never had to serve his full sentence. 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. 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. 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. NBCs Dateline: The Overlook chronicles how the police zeroed in on David using a letter sent to Kristenes father. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. This is still an active investigation. Kristene Chapa's girlfriend died from the 2012 attack. Olgin, 19, and Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death. Once investigators issued arrest warrants for the Stricklands, they asked the U.S. Police were led to David Strickland in 2014 after Chapa's father received an anonymous letter containing information about the crime not released to the public. [16], In 2017, Kristene Chapa filed a lawsuit against David Strickland, his father Larry Joe Strickland, and Taft Pharmacy, the family business, seeking $500 million in damages. Courtesy of Bexar County Sheriff's Office. U.S. But she said that it wasn't just her physical state that needed time to recover. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital murder. "It's difficult for the citizens of this community, it's difficult on the officers of this department, It's difficult with everybody that was involved at the scene," said Portland PD Cheif Mark Cory. Convicted in 1979 of aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene,[3] whilst Chapa was taken to hospital in critical condition. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Please keep us in your prayers.. Cops found three people dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Roel Garza. On July 9, 1986, he overcame Kenneth Mayfield, a jailer, and escaped from the prison in Upshur County with Rosalie Williams, another guard, as a hostage. "All my supporters; they've been there. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. A friend said Chapa remembers the night of the shooting. David remains incarcerated at the William G. McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we? Garza shot both Phillips and Eli twice, Cory said. [2], On June 23, 2012, birdwatchers at Violet Andrews Park called police after discovering two women's bodies lying below a viewing deck. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; It is one day before the two-year anniversary. More:Could David Strickland be exonerated in 2012 Portland double shooting? There is still a lot to do in order to prepare the case for prosectuion". In June 2012, Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, were bound, sexually assaulted and shot in the head at Violet Andrews Park in Portland before their bodies were found by bird watchers. Roel Garza did not have a history of violence before the murder-suicide, cops said. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. The motion states while prosecutors agreed to have the DNA testing done, they didn't agree that Strickland would be exonerated. (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. (PHOTOS: Teens in America: Class Pictures). Here's the latest. A vigil was held for the girls at a local high school Sunday and a candle-lit walk is scheduled to take place in the park on Friday. 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. [18]. Police say Garza did not have any prior history of violence. A crowd of over 100 people attend a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. Portland PD says the investigation is ongoing. About 50 people attended a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. In August 1986, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the escape. About 50 people attended the event. All rights reserved. A vigil will also be held in San Fransisco, a city well known for its support of gay rights. [7] He was arrested two days later after the biggest fugitive hunt in Texas state history. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. The document also requestedthe results of DNA testing conducted ona pubic hair that was found onChapa's body. This evidence included .45-caliber firearms, handcuffs, ammunition, a lock pick kit, bolt cutters, and other suspicious items. Police have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman.
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