On Jan. 31, police announced that Jerry Walter McFadden of Texas had killed Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland on Jan. 24, 1979. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head last Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. In a Nov. 30 motion that was previously sealed, Strickland's attorney Cynthia Orr argues a different man whose DNA was found at thescene and on the surviving victimis actually responsible for the crime. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. 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? (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. Strickland's appealis still making it's way through the legal system. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. In the days after the attack, police said the women were known to be in a dating relationship but there was no evidence that the attack was motivated by their sexual orientation. 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. U.S. U.S. People write messages of support on a banner during a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. 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. 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. The episode can be streamed on the NBC app or online atwww.nbcnews.com/dateline. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. About 50 people attended the event. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Ammunition found in his possession was identified as the same ammunition used in the killings of Boone and Turner. "I kept waiting. 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. Olgin, 19, died at the scene. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2016. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. 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. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, This is what Houston looks like from space, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. Chapa is currently taking college courses while writing a book about her experience. Ultimately, David Malcolm Strickland was arrested and later found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. In September 2016, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. A friend said Chapa remembers the night of the shooting. 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.. "He couldn't even look at me, which was disappointing, because I wanted him to see what he had done.". While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. After two hours of being interviewed by Portland police and Texas Rangers, Strickland confessed. David remains incarcerated at the William G. McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death. [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. 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. David Strickland was living in Portland at the time of the shootings and has also lived in Utah and Helotes, police 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. Dispatch attempted to get more information from him, police said. WebAMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Police say a Texas mother has been charged with murder in the death of her 2-month-old baby, KFDA reports. She believed the testing could help exonerate Strickland. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. Later on, David even confessed to the crime, saying he attacked Mollie and Kristene because they were mean to his wife, who was a server at a restaurant. His sentence will automatically be appealed. Photos of Mary Kristene Chapa (left) and her girlfriend Mollie Judith Olgin that were given to people attending a candle light vigil for the girls Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. Furthermore, when the letter was delivered, Kristenes family saw a black sedan in the area. 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. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. His wife faces charges of tampering with evidence. At the time, Strickland denied shooting and raping the girls. 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. The Caller-Times is withholding the man's name as it's unclear if he's been arrested and charged with a crime. [4][7] The Texas Appeals Court affirmed the conviction and sentence in November 1993. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. 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. Strickland told investigators he composed the letter two weeks before his arrest and printed it out at a public library computer. Vigils were held across the county by the LGBT community, and some suspected the case could be a hate crime. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Its a difficult situation when you walk in on a welfare check and then you discover three deceased bodies, and especially ones a child.. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night, June 22, 2012, that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. 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. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene,[3] whilst Chapa was taken to hospital in critical condition. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. "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. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. The type of DNA testing being done uses technology that wasn't available at the time of Strickland's trial. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. According to police, around 1:30 a.m., a man called 911 and told officers he was distraught and to go to Escondido St. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Then, he took it back. Photo: Portland Police Department, Laura Strickland, 23, was arrested June 20, 2014, in Helotes. He was also seen talking to people at the crime scene, telling them that his partner, Laura, knew one of the victims. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. Authorities didn't investigate the fatal attack as a hate crime even though the incident happened during Pride weekend. I stared at him, right, whenever I was testifying, and not one look. But he could smile at my family and taunt them," she continued. Orr and prosecutors with the San Patricio County District Attorney's officecould not immediately be reached for comment. Man and wife jailed in 2-year-old attack on female couple near Corpus Christi, Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting. As the investigation carried on, there was a break in the case in June 2014 when Kristenes father received an anonymous letter in the mail. Portland police have not provided details about how Strickland was linked to the case. 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. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. Friends of the girls have said that Olgin and Chapa began dating five months ago. 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. 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. Gerald "Jerry" Walter McFadden (March 21, 1948 October 14, 1999), known as The Animal, was an American serial killer and sex offender who was executed in 1999.[6]. "All my supporters; they've been there. "(Strickland) cannot take the gun, computer or ID evidence away. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. The Layton man's home had been burglarized that year by David Strickland, a former friend. Strickland had also inserted himself in the original investigation, talking to investigators and being seen at the crime scene just days after the shooting. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we? Messages left by NBC News seeking comment from Chapa and her family werent immediately returned. "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. A vigil will also be held in San Fransisco, a city well known for its support of gay rights. San Patricio County prosecutors argued that even if the hair came from another man, it would not exonerate Strickland. [8] The letter accused a Layton, Utah, man of the murder of Olgin; police found that the man had an alibi. [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. Carol Christian reports on breaking news for chron.com. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. Crimes scene investigators take evidence back to their vans Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. Paroled in December 1978. Thanks everyone for the texts, messages, and calls but my family and I are just kinda in shock and just shook up, Chapa wrote on Facebook after the arrest was made. Strickland told investigators that Olgin and Chapa were rude to his wife, who was a server at Chili's, and he followed them back to the park where he shot them, but prosecutors believed Olgin and Chapa did not visit Chili's the night of the shooting. His wife is charged with tampering with evidence. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. 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. [4] Following intensive care and concerns that the bullet may have left her completely paralyzed,[5] Chapa regained mobility in the left side of her body and helped police create a sketch of the offender.[6][7]. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. 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. Elizabeth Valadez of Corpus Christi, Texas, writes a message on one of the posts Friday, June 29, 2012 as other friends and supporters write messages on a large sheet behind her during a vigil for teens Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. Sign up for breaking news alerts from NBC News. 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 crime went unsolved for about two years before police shifted their focus to Stickland in 2014 after learning about a letter addressed to Chapa's father written from the perspective of a hitman. Nevertheless, the jury found David, then 30, guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. All rights reserved. Additionally, a firearms expert at the Texas Department of Public Safety testified that the bullet casing at the scene likely matched Strickland's handgun. He contacted family members Friday evening, said Cory, who did not elaborate much. 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. Vigils for the women are also scheduled for Friday in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Texas, among other cities. IE 11 is not supported. The front door was open, according to the official version of events in the KIII report. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. Emailus. The Portland Police Department released this sketch July 13, 2012, in the attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. Corpus Christi police concluded that the robbery was targeted. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparentlyshot by a mysterious assailantin Portland, Texas Friday night. Courtesy of Bexar County Sheriff's Office. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. A new Dateline NBC episode that aired in Decembertook another look at the sexual assaultand shooting of two South Texas women nearly a decade ago. All rights reserved. About 50 people attended a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. 2021 in June 2012, a former friend announced that Jerry Walter mcfadden of Texas had killed Marie. Immediately returned unclear if he 's been arrested and charged with tampering with evidence local media reported comment from and! 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