Thursday night, a Travis County jury handed down a not guilty verdict for two Williamson County sheriff's deputies in the Javier Ambler case. The jury deliberat
Their defense attorneys maintain this trial never had to happen. They blame the prosecution, both current District Attorney Jose Garza and his predecessor Margaret Moore, for not examining evidence from the 2019 case in a timely manner, evidence they believe could have cleared their clients before they were even charged.after a traffic stop escalated into a 22-minute high-speed chase from Round Rock to Austin.
The defense also maintains prosecutors never examined a Fitbit Ambler was wearing that could have told investigators of Ambler's serious health issues, and they say prosecutors in 2019 failed to get footage from the TV crew that was riding with the deputies, video they believe could also have cleared their clients.
Defense Attorney Doug O’Connell commented, “Of course, they didn't get the 'Live PD’ video. And we know from what was admitted into evidence during the trial that they failed to send a proper subpoena to New York. And so they never recovered that video that would have been exculpatory, to Zack and JJ.”
The Travis County District Attorney's Office released a statement after the verdict with Jose Garza saying in part, "We hoped the outcome of this trial would bring justice and closure to the family." He adds they're grateful to the jurors, respects their decision and thanks them for their service. We asked the attorneys if the experience has their clients rethinking their career in law enforcement. Attorney O'Connell says a cost benefit analysis would likely tilt heavy for finding a job that's not in law enforcement... at least not in Travis County.
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