AUSTIN, Texas — A state senator is demanding answers about how Travis County District Attorney José Garza and his prosecutors have handled serious crimes.
Questions surround Garza’s office on whether it’s following the law to seek indictments against suspects. The concerns come amid mounting pressure on Garza over an issue that sparked a legal and political firestorm this week.
Texas Sen. Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) expressed deep concern to the KVUE Defenders regarding operations at the DA’s office. Questions continue about whether their failure to meet indictment deadlines is resulting in potentially dangerous criminals being returned to Austin’s streets.
Eckhardt said as Texas lawmakers debated a so-called bail reform bill this week, news broke that Garza’s office missed indictment deadlines for two murder suspects causing them to be released on dramatically reduced bonds. Instead of changing laws, Eckhardt said the DA’s office should do its job.
“What I’m seeing is not a problem with the statutes,” Eckhardt said. “It is a problem with the office that is supposed to be enforcing the law.”
Eckhardt also said she’s requested information from Garza and his staff about the number of times they have missed a deadline to indict defendants that led to their release on lowered bonds.
The KVUE Defenders reached out to Garza’s office about Eckhardt’s comments and are waiting to hear back.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.