Introduction to the Backlog of Murder Cases in Harris County
Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare has revealed that some of his most experienced prosecutors are working to clear a backlog of murder and capital murder cases. As of April 17, there were 765 murder cases filed since 2019 that are still pending completion. This backlog has resulted in 720 people being held in jail on murder or capital murder charges while they await trial.
The Current State of Murder Cases in Harris County
The District Attorney’s Office has made some progress in clearing the backlog, with 50 murder and capital murder cases being cleared since Teare took office in January. However, the office currently expects a murder or capital murder case to take an average of three years to complete from the time of arrest to adjudication. Teare has acknowledged the need to improve the efficiency of the system and has announced plans to create a homicide "call-out" team to help cases move more quickly through the criminal justice system.
The Homicide Call-Out Team
The homicide call-out team will be composed of experienced prosecutors who will be available to respond to crime scenes and provide advice to law enforcement officers. This team will help to ensure that cases are handled efficiently and effectively from the outset. Teare has also stated that he is meeting with all law enforcement agencies in Harris County to develop a criterion for when a prosecutor will be called to a scene as soon as a victim is found.
The Impact on Families of Victims
The backlog of murder cases has had a significant impact on the families of victims, who are often left waiting for years for justice to be served. Terry Tondre, whose son Keith Tondre Hardy was murdered in 2019, has spoken about the frustration and anxiety of waiting for a trial. Tondre’s case has had multiple prosecutors assigned to it, which has added to the frustration and sense of injustice. Teare has acknowledged the need to minimize the number of prosecutors working on a case and has stated that he hopes to expand the number of prosecutors in the homicide bureau over the next two and a half years.
Progress and Future Plans
Teare has made a commitment to working to get older murder cases, like Tondre’s, moving towards trial. He has also stated that he hopes to expand the number of prosecutors in the homicide bureau and to reduce the time it takes for a case to be completed. The goal is for prosecutors on the homicide call-out team to work on a case from the time a victim is discovered until it is adjudicated. This will help to ensure that cases are handled efficiently and effectively and that justice is served in a timely manner.
Conclusion
The backlog of murder cases in Harris County is a significant challenge that requires a coordinated and effective response. District Attorney Sean Teare has acknowledged the need for improvement and has announced plans to create a homicide call-out team and to expand the number of prosecutors in the homicide bureau. While progress has been made, there is still much work to be done to ensure that justice is served in a timely and effective manner for the families of victims.
