DA forgets to charge murder suspect
DA forgets to charge murder suspect,A suburban Houston murder suspect is being freed because the prosecutor's office forgot to file proper charges within the 90-day limit after the man's arrest.
State District Judge Pedro Ruiz ordered Richard Mendoza's release Monday on bond equivalent to personal recognizance. However, he also ordered Mendoza to wear an electronic monitor to track his whereabouts.
Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey says his office made the mistake and he takes full responsibility for it. Healey says prosecutors didn't file additional required paperwork because they were awaiting results of DNA tests on bones believed to be the victim's.
The 26-year-old suspect from Fresno, Texas, was arrested in August and accused of the November 2002 shooting death of a 17-year-old friend whom authorities believe became romantically involved with Mendoza's then-girlfriend.
State District Judge Pedro Ruiz ordered Richard Mendoza's release Monday on bond equivalent to personal recognizance. However, he also ordered Mendoza to wear an electronic monitor to track his whereabouts.
Fort Bend County District Attorney John Healey says his office made the mistake and he takes full responsibility for it. Healey says prosecutors didn't file additional required paperwork because they were awaiting results of DNA tests on bones believed to be the victim's.
The 26-year-old suspect from Fresno, Texas, was arrested in August and accused of the November 2002 shooting death of a 17-year-old friend whom authorities believe became romantically involved with Mendoza's then-girlfriend.
