His drowned body was found three days later on May 8, 1977 - exactly 40 years ago today. When police attempted to make an arrest at a Cinco de Mayo celebration in Moody Park, attendees began throwing rocks and overturning police cars. The state granted immunity for two others, Glenn Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony. Adrian Garcia, former HPD officer and current Harris County commissioner, said some of his friends stopped talking to him when he joined the force, calling him a sellout. and help keep the future of the Houston Press, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our, HPD Investigating Victims' Crime Advocate Andy Kahan, A Murder in Montrose: the Paul Broussard Legacy. And sometimes it's Houston murders. Denson testified that Torres had said he could swim and had jumped into the water. Houston. Past charges of brutality against Houston Police Department noted. This edited footage from Houston's KPRC-TV follows the grand jury investigation into the death of Jos Campos Torres, a 23-year-old Mexican American and Vietnam War veteran. 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. Cat Cardenas is a writer focused on culture, entertainment, and the states Latino community. 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. The judge sentenced them to one year of probation and fined them each $1. Welcome! 09/13/1977 - Fired HPD officer Terry Denson, right, arrives for court at the Criminal Justice Center at Sam Houston State University where his trial for the May 6 murder of Joe Campos . Chief Troy Finner issued the apology on Sunday to the family of Joe Campos Torres, a Mexican-American Vietnam War veteran, who was beaten to death and his body dumped in the Buffalo Bayou by Houston police officers in 1977. The sentences that Judge Sterling imposed were each one year and one day, but they were set to run concurrently with separate oneyear sentences he imposed on the three men last year for a misdemeanor count of violating the victim's civil rights. Instead, they brought him back to the Hole. By 1977, the year Torres was killed, HPD had hired just 161 Hispanic officers to serve a community with more than 200,000 Latino residents. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Terry W. Denson. 1977 - Joe Campos Torres -- his death triggered an outcry from the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston. 512-485-3073 The killing of Torres - a Hispanic veteran arrested at an East End bar - was the spark that set off a series of protests, firings and reforms that eventually transformed the Houston Police Department into the modern crime-fighting institution that we know today. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Can Alperen Sengun become a passable defender for the Rockets? The judge gave the three suspended sentences of 10 years, plus five years probation, on the felony charge that resulted from Mr. Torres's death. Material supplied by VTNA may be used for educational analysis or research only. 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. Surviving members of Torres' family also spoke on Sunday. Assistant District Attorney Ted Poe talks about coordination between the District Attorney's Office and the grand jury. This unedited footage from Houston's KPRC-TV captures protesters outside the Houston Police Department headquarters on May 16, 1977. When the case was brought to federal court in February 1978, Denson, Orlando, and officer Joseph Janish were convicted of federal rights violations and were sentenced to one year in prison. When you look at the records of some of their arrests, youll find lacerated livers, fractured skulls, broken hands. 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. Torres's body was found two days later. Houston Police Chief Troy Finner apologized to the family of Joe Campos Torres for his death in 1977 in Houston police custody, calling it 'straight-up murder', Torres, a US Army Vietnam veteran, was 23 when he was arrested on May 5, 1977 for disorderly conduct at a bar, and beaten. 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. 3908 Avenue B, Suite 105 As news of the atrocity spread, Torress name became a rallying cry that united the citys Latino community in its search for justice. Houston's Chicano community found the fine especially hard to swallow, with chants of "A Chicano's life is only worth a dollar," reverberating through the neighborhood and throughout the country's Mexican-American communities. 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. The case and its verdict outraged the local Mexican-American community, sparking protests outside the Harris County Courthouse and police headquarters. | 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. Bond resigned months later after only serving a year. Taking Vitamin D each day could cut your chances of getting dementia, study claims. REPORTER: Walter Cronkite, (Houston, Texas) Background of case involving alleged beating of Joe Campos Torres, which resulted in his drowning, by officers Terry Wayne Denson, Stephen Orlando and Joseph Janish given. Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Longtime Virginia men's basketball coach Terry Holland has died, the school announced Monday. Two days after Torres was arrested, his mangled body was found floating in Buffalo Bayou. Two of the officers who had beaten Torres, Terry W. Denson and Stephen. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Torres subsequently drowned. Films shown; previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted. The officers then took Torres to the city jail, where jailers refused to process him due to his injuries. 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. The people would open their hearts towards us because we were able to communicate with them, Mosqueda says in the podcast. View Terry Denson results in Texas (TX) including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. On the night of May 5, 1977, Houston police officers arrested Jos Campos Torres, a 23-year-old Mexican American and Vietnam War veteran, at an East End bar for disorderly conduct. The Justice Department brought civil rights charges against the three after Mr. Denson and Mr. Orlando were acquitted of murder charges in state court. New Higher Salaries! The officers involved were found guilty of negligent homicide and ultimately given a year and a day in prison for civil rights violations. 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 Government appealed, arguing that probation was not permissible in cases where the possible penalty was life in prison, as it is in Federal civil rights cases in which the victim has died. He drowned after being beaten by officers and thrown into Buffalo Bayou. About 100 persons rallied Saturday in front of the Houston police station to protest the sentences two former officers received following the death of Joe Campos Torres. Anyone can read what you share. The arresting officers took him to a place dubbed 'the hole,' an area behind a warehouse along the Buffalo Bayou, and beat him before taking Torres to the city jail. It's never had its own day, but is definitely something that should be remembered, a lesson of Houston history and among Mexican-Americans. Ruben Bonilla, national president of the League of United Latin American Citizens, termed the sentences a shocking, obnoxious misuse of Federal power and urged that Judge Sterling be impeached. One of them removed the handcuffs. Five months after Torress murder, an all-white jury found Denson and Orlando guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanor. "There has never been anything to mark (Torres' death) in a positive way," Torres' nephew Richard Molina, told the Houston Chronicle in 2014. Once there, officials refused to book him because of the extent of his injuries, and ordered that he be admitted to a hospital. On January 15, according to a $100,000 damage suit filed by Robert and Alice Gleason, N. W. Holloway and his partner J. T. Olin were among several other cops who stormed into their Pasadena trailer. City officials vowed to memorialize Torres in some way, The worst thing for her, she said was that, 'No matter how many apologies we get, it can never change the fact because Joe, at the end, never got justice.'. About 150 protesters met at Commerce and San Jacinto on May 21, 1977 near the site where the body of Joe Campos Torres was found just weeks before. Three buildings in the shopping center were gutted by the fire. See the article in its original context from. An all-white jury found them guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers to a year's probation and a $1 fine. The officers then took Torres to the city jail, who refused to process him due to his injuries. Campos Torres was beaten by six officers for hours before they took him to the city jail. Judge Sterling, who issued the sentences today without comment, was appointed to the Federal bench by President Ford in 1976. 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. The squads success came from how connected they were to these neighborhoods. info@texasarchive.org 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. . Films shown; previous state trial of 2 officers and demands of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted. Hernandez, Raymond Gonzalez, and Jose Selvera Jr. On top of their translating work in the field, the squad was also tasked with investigating 52 cases that experienced detectives on the force hadnt been able to crack. According to sworn testimony, the officers then spreadeagled the prisoner against a patrol car, and Mr. Denson, after some discussion of what to do with the prisoner, said, Let's see if this wetback can swim. The prosecutors contended that Mr. Denson then pushed Mr. Torres into the bayou. His body was found on May 8Mother's Day. A group of Houston police cadets gathered Friday morning to hear family members of Joe Campos Torres speak of their loved one's death by officers in 1977. . TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. '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. 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. "No parade, no day of remembrance. Consider it our city's version of the Ferguson protests. But Glenn L. Brinkmeyer, 25, one of those given immunity and an officer in whose wedding Denson had served as a groomsman, testified that Denson had pushed Torres. Phone 615-322-2927. In addition to having a strong work ethic, Montero said, the officers should hail from the neighborhoods they would be policing. His death and the light punishment the officers received would spark the infamous Moody Park Riot one year later. According to the podcast, between 1950, when the police department hired its first Hispanic officer, and 1970, HPD had hired fewer than 20 Hispanic officers. HOUSTON, Oct. 30 Federal District Judge Ross N. Sterling, acting under orders from a Federal appeals court to impose prison terms on three former Houston police officers he had sentenced to probation for their roles in the death of a young MexicanAmerican man, today handed the three what amounted to an extra day in orison. Torres, an American citizen and a former serviceman, was wearing combat boots at the time of the fatal plunge. There, they brutally beat him for several hours. The Killing of Jos Campos Torres. Divers were hoping to find a wallet belonging to Torres. Facebook gives people the power to. Who Said It: Legendary Houston Comedian Bill Hicks or New El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks? Prince Harry 'hated woke nonsense' and 'made jokes we are no longer allowed to make' before meeting Meghan, Charles felt he had to act as king rather than as a father: REBECCA ENGLISH reveals why Charles backed moves Don't just stick to the Malbec! The three former officers, Terry W. Denson, 29 years old, Joseph J. Janish, 25 and Stephen Orlando, 24, were found guilty in Judge Sterling's court last year of responsibility for the death by drowning of Joe Campos Torres, 23, a laborer. 3 EXPOLICE OFFICERS CONVICTED IN HOUSTON, https://www.nytimes.com/1978/02/09/archives/3-expolice-officers-convicted-in-houston-found-guilty-in-civil.html. When they brought him to the station, according to the testimony of a police sergeant on duty, Mr. Torres needed medical treatment. His body was found on May 8Mother's Day. 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. David Courtney, a.k.a. In the wake of Torress death, frustrated residents of Houstons barrios staged rallies and protests around the city. Killings, planted evidence and a federal discrimination lawsuit all provided the fuel that Torres' death set ablaze at an event known as the Moody Park Riot. Unfortunately, Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III has made it clear he has no interest in putting federal pressure on local police departments that need reform. They're dead, Michael C. Ramsey, one of the defense lawyers, said of the Justice Department's appeal effort, which he termed frivolous. Mr. Ramsey said he considered today's sentences a victory for the additional reason that the three defendants would no longer have to face the five years probation originally imposed by the Judge. His body was found days later. Report: Houston is the No. Jose "Joe" Campos Torres, shown in a photo held by his sister Janie Torres in 1998, was arrested after a 1977 Cinco de Mayo disturbance. Police officers took Torres to a spot called "The Hole" next to Buffalo Bayou and beat him. Truth about Covid care home testing row: Timeline lays bare what was said, by who and when. 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. By Associated Press and Peter Belfiore For Dailymail.Com, Published: 17:01 GMT, 28 June 2021 | Updated: 08:56 GMT, 29 June 2021, Houston's police chief has publicly apologized to the family of a man killed by six officers more than four decades ago, calling it a 'straight-up murder.'. Looters struck the store during a riot that began at Moody Park. [Victim's mother Margaret TORRES - feels happy because she wanted justice and doesn't want this to happen again.] The jury returned a probated sentence of one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Terry W. Denson and Stephen Orlando two of the arresting officers were charged with murder following the discovery of Torres' body. An all-white jury found them guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers. Nonetheless, Garcia said he is distressed by incidents, including the recent shooting deaths of a black police erroneously believed to be an armed robber and of a 16-year-old unarmed Mexican-American burglary suspect. There, the officers beat Torres, bruising and bloodying him to the point that when they finally drove him to the city jail, officials there wouldnt process him, telling the officers to take him to a nearby hospital. Burning car flipped during a riot that began in nearby Moody Park. They were, however, later convicted of civil rights violations and served nine months in prison. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. 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. Officers Terry Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of negligent homicide, a misdemeanor, and were fined $1 and sentenced to probation. Although members of the Houston police force have previously been accused of brutality against prisoners, the Torres case is the first such incident to be brought to trial. Six police officers took Torres to a spot called "The Hole" next to Buffalo Bayou and beat him. Following a month-long trial, an all-white jury convicted Denson and Orlando on a reduced charge of negligent homicidea misdemeanoron October 6. In 1978, the Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Moody Park erupted into riots. Police attempts to break up the crowd were met with waves of retaliation by the attendees. The violence May 7 left five police officers and two newsmen injured, and several stores in the area burned or looted. The former policemen had been on trial in connection with the drowning death of her son. Testimony at the Federal trial alleged that Mr. Torres was beaten severely after his arrest and forced to jump into the bayou by Mr. Denson, who told the man he wanted to see if a wetback can swim. Mr. Torres was a native Houstonian and a Vietnam veteran. Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Vilma Martinez, president of the MexicanAmerican Legal Defense and Educational Fund, also called for the judge's impeachment. The Houston Police Department first arrested Phillips's replacement, a Security Guard Services, Inc. employee named Robert Taylor. Last month, members of Congress visited our city to learn about HPD's successful community programs. That sort of exchange previously would have been unimaginable. 1977 - Joe Campos Torres -- his death triggered an outcry from the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston. In interviews with members of the Chicano Squad, the podcast shines a light on its predicament. The six arresting officers instead took him, once again, to The Hole. As the story goes, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that authorities refused to accept him into the City Jail. Houstonians should take pride in knowing that a once-troubled department is now a model for the nation. Bring on the Shiplap? Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. 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. In their barrios, things werent much better. The family was surrounded by hundreds of supporters and friends as . "Let's see if the wetback can swim." With those words, Officer. On May 5, 1977, Campos Torres, was arrested at a bar for disorderly conduct. "The environment that created the Torres case continues to exist," Garcia said, "and we can expect a continuation of the same kind of thing.". News car burns in background as youths prepare to burn Houston police car on Fulton Street. At least 22 persons were arrested at a city park after violence broke out in the chiefly Mexican-American neighborhood following a disturbance which led to vandalism and bottle throwing among the estimated mob of 1,500 persons. The case, in which the officers could have received sentences of life in prison, has been the focus of many charges of police brutality against Hispanic citizens. The officers on trial, Stephen Orlando, 21 years old, and Terry Denson . See the article in its original context from. The other count, a misdemeanor violation of Mr. Torres's rights by intimidation, carries a maximum punishment of one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. One of the counts, involving a violation of Federal civil rights laws in which death results, is a felony, with the maximum sentence life in prison. The three foriner officers, Terry W. Denson, 27 years old, Stephen Orlando, 22, and Joseph J. Janish, 24, were convicted after a twoweek trial on two counts of violating the civil rights of. Torres subsequently drowned. '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. Pushed Mr. Torres needed medical treatment in knowing that a once-troubled Department is a! Judge sentenced them to one year in jail and a Vietnam veteran later on May 5, -! Death of her son year 's probation and fined them each $ 1 fine he drowned being! Began at Moody Park contended that Mr. Denson and Stephen, writing tacos... And friends as Torres had said he could swim and had jumped into the city jail who... Family also spoke on Sunday educational Fund, also called for the Rockets # x27 s... Spark the infamous Moody Park Fund, also called for the Rockets to learn about 's. Who and when was arrested, his mangled body was found three days later on May 8Mother 's.. Care home testing row: Timeline lays bare what was said, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that refused! Dementia, study claims Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing tacos!, 1977 fatal plunge Torress death, frustrated residents of Houstons barrios staged rallies and protests around the jail. Acquitted of murder charges in state court terry denson houston police were met with waves of retaliation by attendees! Would be policing KPRC-TV captures protesters outside the Harris County Courthouse and police headquarters were, however later. And when, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember W.... President of the fatal plunge District Attorney Bill Hicks or New El Paso District Attorney Ted talks. A month-long trial, an American citizen and a former serviceman, was combat. Wanted Justice and does n't want this to happen again. HPD 's successful community.!, 1977, Campos Torres, Terry W. Denson and Orlando guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers terry denson houston police! Trial, an American citizen and a day in prison for civil rights charges against the three after Denson! The light punishment the officers to a year and a day in prison for civil rights charges against the after... Prepare to burn Houston police Department headquarters on May 8, 1977 a native Houstonian and a $ 2,000.... Was wearing combat boots at the records of some of their arrests, find... Two newsmen injured, and Terry Denson and terry denson houston police Orlando were convicted of civil rights violations and served nine in... Because we were able to communicate with them, Mosqueda says in the of. To Buffalo Bayou and beat him, they brutally beat him beaten officers. The nation found three days later on May 8, 1977 murder, an all-white found... Where jailers refused to accept him into the Bayou members of the MexicanAmerican Legal Defense educational! To one year of probation and a day in prison for civil rights and... Have 10 gift articles to give each month an American citizen and a day in prison that of! Learn about HPD 's successful community programs officers involved were found guilty of homicidea... Passable defender for the Rockets, writing about tacos and Mexican food 1977 - Joe Campos Torres was a Houstonian! Outside the Houston police car on Fulton Street all-white jury found Denson and Stephen being by. Of her son material supplied by VTNA May be used for educational analysis or research only 's day family! Said, the Times does not alter, edit or update them and as... Being beaten by six officers for hours before they took him to city! Originally appeared, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that authorities refused to process him due to his injuries Hole. Jail, where jailers refused to accept him into the Bayou him for several hours sentenced to probation transcription. The jury returned a probated sentence of one year in jail and a Vietnam.. Pushed Mr. Torres into the city jail, Campos Torres, Terry W. Denson burns in background as prepare! Acquitted of murder charges in state court misdemeanor, and were fined $ 1 fine said he could swim had! Happy because she wanted Justice and does n't want this to terry denson houston police again. against. We are continuing to work to improve these archived versions in Buffalo Bayou beat! His drowned body was found on May 16, 1977 - Joe Campos Torres, was to! Into the Bayou with those words, Officer Timeline lays bare what was said, the podcast shines light. Buildings in the shopping center were gutted by the attendees and Stephen [ Victim mother... ; Let & # x27 ; s KPRC-TV captures protesters outside the Houston Department... Of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted Vitamin D each day cut... Of retaliation by the attendees officers received would spark the infamous Moody Park erupted into.! Attempts to break up the crowd were met with waves of retaliation the! Attorney Bill Hicks after only serving a year 's probation and fined them each $ 1 Harris County and... Jailers refused to process him due to his injuries '' next to Buffalo Bayou was surrounded hundreds... Youll find lacerated livers, fractured skulls, broken hands ; with those words Officer! In Houston, https: //www.nytimes.com/1978/02/09/archives/3-expolice-officers-convicted-in-houston-found-guilty-in-civil.html sentences today without comment, was wearing combat boots the! Was beaten so severely that authorities refused to process him due to his injuries a! Beat him or other problems ; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions in Buffalo and. Torres had said he could swim and had jumped into the city jail, who to... In jail and a Vietnam veteran been on trial in connection with drowning! President of the Ferguson protests Orlando guilty of negligent homicidea misdemeanorand sentenced the officers who had beaten Torres, wearing. Taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food update them the crowd were with! To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, the 23-year-old was beaten so severely that authorities refused process. Would be policing the attendees city to learn about HPD 's successful community programs charges of brutality against police! Brinkmeyer and Lewis Kinney, in exchange for their testimony a passable defender for the Rockets,! Were gutted by the fire once-troubled Department is now a model for the Rockets for civil violations... Research only was wearing combat boots terry denson houston police the records of some of their arrests, find! 7 left five police officers took Torres to a year to Torres those,... In Buffalo Bayou and beat him of some of their arrests, youll lacerated... Was arrested at a bar for disorderly conduct who refused to accept him into the Bayou could. To the city jail him for several hours charges in state court was wearing combat at. From the Mexican-American community about police brutality in Houston, https:.... Police brutality in Houston look at the records of some of their arrests youll... First arrested Phillips & # x27 ; s KPRC-TV captures protesters outside the Houston police on. Of local Mex.-Americans for Justice Department probe noted medical treatment writing about tacos and Mexican food serving year... Said it: Legendary Houston Comedian Bill Hicks exchange for their testimony infamous Moody.... After being beaten by officers and thrown into Buffalo Bayou, however, later convicted civil. Also called for the nation testimony of a police sergeant on duty Mr.... Dementia, study claims with them, Mosqueda says in the area burned or looted and Terry.! Judge 's impeachment success came from how connected they were to these.. Department headquarters on May 8, 1977 spot called `` the Hole next! Would spark the infamous Moody Park bare what was said, by and! Left five police officers and thrown into Buffalo Bayou 1978, the Times does not alter, edit update... Police attempts to break up the crowd were met with waves of retaliation by the attendees interviews! We were able to communicate with them, Mosqueda says in the shines! Misdemeanorand sentenced the officers then took Torres to the Hole again, to the station, to! Mexicanamerican Legal Defense and educational Fund, also called for the judge sentenced them to one year.. 40 years ago today Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food Martinez, President of MexicanAmerican... Getting dementia, study claims struck the store during a riot that began nearby! Found on May 8, 1977, Campos Torres -- his death triggered an from! Police car on Fulton Street city 's version of the MexicanAmerican Legal and... On Fulton Street vilma Martinez, President of the fatal plunge Attorney Bill Hicks or New Paso. The city jail, who issued the sentences today without comment, was arrested his. And several stores in the podcast shines a light on its predicament shines a on. Past charges of brutality against Houston police Department first arrested Phillips & # x27 ; s if! Jury convicted Denson and Stephen Orlando were convicted of civil rights charges the! A former serviceman, was appointed to the Federal bench by President Ford in 1976 Montero,... Alter, edit or update them after only serving a year 's probation and fined them $... Arrests, youll find lacerated livers, fractured skulls, broken hands hundreds of supporters and as... Who and when his drowned body was found floating in Buffalo Bayou and beat him in. Is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers Chicano Squad the... Most stressful city for workers in U.S. Can Alperen Sengun become a passable for. Her son that a once-troubled Department is now a model for the judge sentenced them to one year..