. The Killing of Jos Campos Torres. Defense attorney Mike Ramsey and his client, Steven Orlando, follow. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, Astros GM provides update on Yordan Alvarez's hand injury, KPRC 2 anchor Brandon Walker announces he is leaving network, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Witnesses reflect on LA's Rodney King riot 25 years later, A look at prominent figures in the Rodney King riots, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Houston is in for dust and gray skies as Texas haboob hits city, Former KHOU 11 anchor Lily Jang turns layoff into lucrative real estate career, Your essential and exhaustive guide to 2023 Houston rodeo food. Two of their fellow officers were given immunity from prosecution in return for their testimony in state court against the pair; one other officer faces related misdemeanor charges, and one, a rookie who reported the incident to superiors, remains on the 2,900-member Houston police force. Torres drowned after he had been arrested by Houston police officers for creating a disturbance in an East End bar. Decades before the recent police violence in Memphis, a brutally beaten Latino man was tossed by officers into a Houston bayou and drowned. Sometimes it's our sports teams, sometimes it's the happenings over at NASA, a breakthrough at the Medical Center or our atrocious weather that's in the headlines. 1977, Houston Police officer Terry Denson yelled, "Let's see if this wetback can swim!" Denson, along with five other white policemen (Louis Kinney, Glen Brinkmeyer, Joseph Janish, Stephen Orlando, and Carless Elliot) had arrested Torres after responding to a complaint of a drunken The squads success came from how connected they were to these neighborhoods. Their convictions were for criminally negligent homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor. Houston police officers administer first aid to Officer Tommy A. Britt, injured by a car that broke through a police line at Irvington and Fulton during a riot that began in nearby Moody Park. This has destroyed all of us. Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. Defense attorney Bob Bennett and his client, Terry Denson, exit the courtroom to deliver comments to the press. Sam Buyajian 33, surveys the wreckage of his drive-in grocery at 3814 Fulton. West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country, The Top 50 Texas BBQ Joints: 2021 Edition, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians, The Campaign to Sabotage Texass Public Schools. "There has never been anything to mark (Torres' death) in a positive way," Torres' nephew Richard Molina, told the Houston Chronicle in 2014. Mr. Torres's body was found in a Houston bayou on May 9, 1977, two days after he was arrested by Mr. Denson and other officers in a latenight barroom disturbance. A year later and still feeling as though justice had not been served, members of Houstons Hispanic community rose up in a post Cinco de Mayo riot at the citys Moody Park. When they brought him to the station, according to the testimony of a police sergeant on duty, Mr. Torres needed medical treatment. With limited resources and no prior detective training, they faced scrutiny from all sides. Calbillo is one of several people working to get a historical marker for Joe Campos Torres. CBS Evening News for Wednesday, Feb 08, 1978 This was a test, and they had only a few months to prove themselves. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Latinos around town began pinning a single dollar bill to their shirts, meant to symbolize what their lives were worth in the eyes of the criminal justice system. Three buildings in the shopping center were gutted by the fire. The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. WHERE ARE THEY NOW:A look at prominent figures in the Rodney King riots, "What happened was when the police came in to arrest some people, and actually took somebody, people said 'No,'" then-rookie cop Harold Barthe told Houston Public Media in 2008. Instead, the officers returned to The Hole, where they continued to beat Torres. During the research process, Moravec found that the Chicano Squad posted a consistently higher clearance rate than other HPD units. Officers Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and were fined $1 and sentenced to probation. The Torres case prompted the Houston Police Department to create its Internal Affairs Division in 1977. Three days later, on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 8, 1977 his dead body was found severely beaten and floating in the Buffalo Bayou, a creek on the outskirts of downtown Houston. ', Torres' sister Janie said she was 10 at the time of her brother's death and that her family was never the same. Brinkmeyer said Denson previously had boasted throwing a wino down a ravine and had beaten other hand-cuffed prisoners. In just a few short years, relationships between HPD and Houston's Hispanic community had improved to such a degree that Caldwell even commended a local police critic during a LULAC convention, who in turn praised the chief for his efforts. Sunday's formal apology comes after Finner and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner met privately with Torres' family over Memorial Day weekend, but wanted to make a public showingABC 13 reported. 12 pick, Tips for bringing your dog or cat on a flight, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, This Houston rodeo food vendor wants you to eat his rattlesnake. As the story goes, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that authorities refused to accept him into the City Jail. The girl's parents told the police they went to sleep at about 11 p.m. Saturday, and when . "The community had this insurrection in the face of the brutality of the Houston Police Department," Carlos Calbillo, a community historian and filmmaker who made a documentary about the Torres case, told the Houston Chronicle in 2011. The three former officers are to be sentenced late next month. State District Judge James Warref of Walker County sentenced them to one year probation and a $1 fine. Two days after Torres was arrested, his mangled body was found floating in Buffalo Bayou. And sometimes it's Houston murders. All of the jurors were white, none was Mexican-American and five either worked for law enforcement agencies or had relatives who did. On the night of May 5, 1977, Houston police officers arrested Torres at an East End bar for disorderly conduct. A Houston Chronicle reporter and photographer joined the Northeastern Trail Riders Association to document the highlights and challenges of life on the trail during the group's 108-mile journey to the 2023 Houston Letter from the editor: Introducing our exclusive new newsletter, Black trail riders head to Houston rodeo parade after grueling, joyful 6-day journey. For many of the victims they interviewed, the officers presence did make a difference. Two former Houston policemen on trial for beating and drowning a Mexican-American prisoner in their custody last May were convicted by a jury today of misdemeanor charges that will cost each no more than a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Dozens were arrested and 15 were injured as protesters clashed with police in one of the citys most notorious riots. Rioters looted and set fire to a shopping center, and fifteen people were injured including five police officers and two news personnel. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Who Said It: Legendary Houston Comedian Bill Hicks or New El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks? Where's my brother? LOOKING BACK:Witnesses reflect on LA's Rodney King riot 25 years later. (Studio) Report on conviction of 3 former Houston policemen accused of violating civil rights of Mex.-American who drowned while in their custody. His body was found on May 8Mother's Day. Watch: Astros SP Luis Garcia debuts new windup after rule changes, Oops! Houston police take man into custody during Moody Park riot that broke out following a Cinco de Mayo celebration in the park. Three buildings in the shopping center were gutted by the fire. Joining HPD was regarded almost as a betrayal. On April 3, a plaza, a monument, a huge portrait, and a walking trail were all unveiled and dedicated to remembering a man brutally murdered by Houston police almost 45 years ago. The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. The case and its verdict outraged the local Mexican American community, sparking protests outside the Harris County Courthouse and police headquarters. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Bring on the Shiplap? If you are associated with a college or university, you may ask your library if they would like to become a sponsor, which would give students and faculty at your institution the ability to view items from our collection. City Employees Are Heading for the Exits. The protests that . HOUSTON, Feb. 8 Three former Houston police officers were found guilty in Federal District Court here today of beating a MeicanAmerican prisoner last May and then pushing him into a downtown bayou, where he drowned. Officers Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and were fined $1 and sentenced to probation. Dan Solomon writes about politics, music, food, sports, criminal justice, health care, film, and business. Anyone can read what you share. Robert Bennett, attorney for Mr. Denson, who had been specifically charged with pushing Mr. Torres into the water, said that he would argue against a prison sentence for his client. Houston police officers give first aid to officer Tommy A. Britt who was injured by a car that broke through a police line at Irvington and Fulton during a riot that began in nearby Moody Park. The officers then took Torres to the city jail, who refused to process him due to his injuries. They were able to gain the trust of victims and witnesses because they knew how Hispanic Houstonians really lived.. His body would end up in the Buffalo Bayou, where it was found three days later. In interviews with members of the Chicano Squad, the podcast shines a light on its predicament. Films shown; previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted. If I didnt tell you that this story took place forty years ago, you might think it had just happened, Alonzo told me. [Houston United States attorney Tony CANALES - thinks justice served.] (Two activists, Travis Morales and Mara Youngdahl, were later fined a total of $9,000 on misdemeanor riot charges.). In 2004, Poe was elected to the United States House of Representatives, serving for 14 years. After adjustments, if you continue to experience problems, please contact us. Reporters interview Harris County District Attorney Carol Vance, Divers search the depths of Buffalo Bayou for Torres' wallet, Protests outside the Harris County Courthouse. Mr. Torres was arrested May 5 at Houston tavern on charges of disturbing the peace. We want to let the people know what kind of person he was and what he meant to my family,' Molina said. Service station vandalized by riotersduring riot at Moody Park. 'My mother was never the same after Jose was killed,' his sister Janie Torres, who was 10 at the time her brother's death, said. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. By John M. Crewdson; Special to The New York Times. On June 28, a Harris County grand jury indicted two of the officers, Terry Denson and Steven Orlando, for murder and a third, J. J. Janisch, for misdemeanor assault. View other clips in this broadcast . Given the departments broken relationship with the Latino community, making headway on the cases would be extremely difficult, especially because of the officer recruitment problem. Report: Houston is the No. A convenience store/drive-in grocery at 3814 Fulton is vandalized by riotersin the 1978 Moody Park riots. That sort of exchange previously would have been unimaginable. In 2010, because HPDs increasingly diverse workforce now includes a higher number of Spanish-speaking officers, the group was disbanded. Garcia said there had been progress in that Chief Harry Caldwell has required officers to register the extra weapons they carry with them, has banned the use of "long rifles" such as deer rifles, and has forbidden officers to shoot at fleeing suspects who aren't threatening their safety or that of others. "The environment that created the Torres case continues to exist," Garcia said, "and we can expect a continuation of the same kind of thing.". Chicano Squad members recognized at City Hall, Houston, 2019. six responding Houston Police Department officers, one year of probation and fined them each $1. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Margaret Torres, mother of Joe Campos Torres, speaks to a crowd gathered at the Houston police station Oct. 8, 1977 to protest the verdict handed down by a Huntsville jury in the the murder trial of former Houston policemen Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando. Holland, 80, previously was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Aided by the research of producer and Austin-based journalist Eva Ruth Moravec, Alonzo guides listeners through interviews with Chicano activists, former police officers, scholars, and Torress family members. Judge Sterling, who issued the sentences today without comment, was appointed to the Federal bench by President Ford in 1976. After learning of Mr. Torres's death, Carless Elliott, a 20yearold rookie police officer who witnessed the incident, reported what he had seen to his superiors. HPD is now hiring for our upcoming classes. Poe served as a chief felony prosecutor for eight years before being appointed a state district judge in 1981. The six arresting officers instead took him, once again, to The Hole. You have three options if you'd like to view this item: If you believe that you are associated with a sponsoring college or university and have received this message in error, please let us know. Before that he was a member of the Houston law firm of Vinson, Elkins, to which John B. Connally, the Republican presidential candidate, also belongs. The two officers convicted in the Torres' case are expected to be sentenced within a few days. The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. The comments below have not been moderated. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. "Let's see if the wetback can swim." With those words, Officer. October 18, 2016 The officers involved were found guilty of negligent homicide and ultimately given a year and a day in prison for civil rights violations. On an overcast evening in early May 1977, 23-year-old Vietnam War veteran Jose Campos Torres was in handcuffs for drunk and disorderly conduct at a cantina in Houstons East End. Police attempts to break up the crowd were met with waves of retaliation by the attendees. Slowly, the Chicano Squad earned back the trust that HPD had lost. This is a digitized version of an article from The Timess print archive, before the start of online publication in 1996. On May 5, 1977, Campos Torres, was arrested at a bar for disorderly conduct. 'Let's get this clear because there's been some chatter in the neighborhoods [about] how Chief Finner feels about this,' he said of Torres' death, 'and that is straight-up murder of somebody. Keep supporting great journalism by turning off your ad blocker. 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