We had 17 lawyers complete 12 trials this week at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse. The results – 10 Guilty Verdicts and 2 Not Guilty Verdicts.
Congratulations to the trial winners and to the 22 Lawyers below who won their case with a dismissal of charges!
Congratulations to Prosecutor Jamie Culotta for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
Sentence: 18 Years in Prison/$15,000 Fine
(judge Hazel Jones presiding – 174th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1859587)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Matt Magill for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: 18 Years in Prison
(judge Kelli Johnson presiding – 178th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1893232) co-counsel Jason Esmaili
Congratulations to Prosecutor Jason Esmaili for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: 18 Years in Prison
(judge Kelli Johnson presiding – 178th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1893232) co-counsel Matt Magill
Congratulations to Prosecutor Shalynn Arbour for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Evading Arrest with a Vehicle
Sentence: 40 Years in Prison
(judge Caroline Dozier presiding – 228th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1893183)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Tieranee Jones for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sentence: 75 Years in Prison
(visiting judge Vanessa Velasquez presiding – 178th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1796125) co-counsel Mikeala Morris
Congratulations to Prosecutor Mikeala Morris for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sentence: 75 Years in Prison
(visiting judge Vanessa Velasquez presiding – 178th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1796125) co-counsel Tieranee Jones
Congratulations to Prosecutor Dylan Larsen for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Sentence: 18 Years in Prison
(visiting judge Denise Collins presiding – 487th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1866260) co-counsel Morgan Kline
Congratulations to Prosecutor Morgan Kline for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
Sentence: 18 Years in Prison
(visiting judge Denise Collins presiding – 487th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1866260) co-counsel Dylan Larsen
Congratulations to Prosecutor Jacob Salinas for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: 35 Years in Prison
(judge Tami Pierce presiding – 180th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1841594) co-counsel James DaRe
Congratulations to Prosecutor James DaRe for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Murder
Sentence: 35 Years in Prison
(judge Tami Pierce presiding – 180th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1841594) co-counsel Jacob Salinas
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Arienna Toh for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Aggravated Assault Family Member
( judge Brian Warren presiding – 209th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1896109)
Congratulations to Defense Attorney Markay Stroud for earning a Not Guilty Verdict for your client.
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
( visiting judge Kristin Guiney presiding – 183rd Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause Number 1922213)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Donnie Epperson for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Injury to a Child
Sentence: 10 Years Probation
(judge Dan Simons presiding – 496th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1768156)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Keegan Childers for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sentence: 38 Years in Prison
(judge Lori Deangelo presiding – 495th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1877985) co-counsel Nidia Ventura
Congratulations to Prosecutor Nidia Ventura for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child
Sentence: 38 Years in Prison
(judge Lori Deangelo presiding – 495th Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1877985) co-counsel Keegan Childers
Congratulations to Prosecutor Mitchell Williams for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity
Sentence: 25 Years in Prison
(judge Veronica Nelson presiding – 482nd Criminal District Court – jury trial – Cause #1895946)
Congratulations to Prosecutor Gage Wiley for earning a Guilty Verdict for the State of Texas.
DWI
Sentence: 3 Days in Jail
(judge Shannon Baldwin presiding – CCL4 – Cause Number 2560810 – jury trial)
Note: This scoreboard may not be 100% accurate as I could have missed some mistrials that occurred at the early stages of the trial or a quick court trial that lasted a couple of hours….. but it is close to 100%.
GREAT SPREADSHEETS! VALUABLE INFORMATION! click links below for insights to ALL the trials from the Harris County Criminal Courthouse since 2017!
DEFENSE LEADER BOARD – LAST 9 YEARS – TOP 50
Leading Defense Attorneys for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts since February 2017 – OVER 2,000 PRACTICING DEFENSE ATTORNEYS at the Harris County Criminal Courthouse (stats taken from above spreadsheet)
Show Me The Justice congratulates Defense Attorney Teresa Lakho for earning 6 “Not Guilty” Verdicts since 2017
Teresa is tied for NUMBER 44 on the “Rosster” of TRIAL LAWYERS WITH THE MOST WINS SINCE 2017
Note: The following spreadsheets, standings, charts, graphs and compilations may NOT be 100% accurate and should not be relied upon as authoritative information.
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jonas Hunter for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1912562 out of the 262nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT with a Deadly Weapon
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Aaron Holt for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1910425 out of the 482nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT with a Deadly Weapon
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chris Downey for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1869451 out of the 262nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chanae Davis for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1873351 out of the 496th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ROBBERY
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Tom Abbate for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1892090 out of the 178th Criminal District Court for the offense of
INJURY to the Elderly
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Erik Nelson for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1909734 out of the 174th Criminal District Court for the offense of
DEADLY CONDUCT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chris Denuna for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2568962 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 3 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Sean Evans for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2571324 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 9 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Hunter Hoaglund for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2562031 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 11 for the offense of
DWI >.15
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chris Denuna for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2573828 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 14 for the offense of
DWI >.15
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jimmy Ortiz Jr. for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1895723 out of the 183rd Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT of a Child
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Allen Woodward for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2540584 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 6 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Tyler Flood for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2541800 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 8 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Chabli Alexander for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1916564 out of the 182nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Brandon Ball for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1905457 out of the 183rd Criminal District Court for the offense of
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Gary Miller for earning a dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1832394 out of the 232nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
MURDER
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Drew Darnell for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2565986 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 15 for the offense of
DWI
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Darla McBride for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2575291 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 9 for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Poppy Northcutt for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1900237 out of the 183rd Criminal District Court for the offense of
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Jonathan Vela for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1831826 out of the 262nd Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Sherman Hatton for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 1917891 out of the 230th Criminal District Court for the offense of
ASSAULT Family Member
Show Me The Justice recognizes Defense Attorney Sean Darvishi for earning a trial setting dismissal for your client in Cause Number 2569354 out of Criminal Court at Law Number 3 for the offense of
DWI
PROSECUTOR LEADER BOARD 2026
Leading Prosecutors for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts for 2026
DEFENSE LEADER BOARD 2026
Leading Defense Attorneys for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts for 2026
FELONY JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
All Elected Felony Judges and their trial totals for 2026
MISDEMEANOR JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
All Elected Misdemeanor Judges and their trial totals for 2026
VISITING JUDGE LEADER BOARD 2026
Visiting Judges and their trial totals for 2026
PROSECUTOR LEADER BOARD – Last 9 Years
Leading Prosecutors for Winning Felony and Misdemeanor Verdicts since February 2017 Note: Prosecutors listed may no longer be working at the District Attorney’s Office
COURT DOCKET EFFICIENCY – MISDEMEANORS
Top 10 Misdemeanor Courts for LOWEST docket totals December 2025 – source: Harris County Courts Active Cases Report
COURT DOCKET EFFICIENCY – FELONIES
Top 10 Felony Courts for LOWEST docket totals December 2025 – source: Harris County District Criminal District Courts Dashboard
“UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH MURDER OF JOCELYN NUNGARAY” – next court date January 21, 2026 – 232nd – 1873328 – Defendant Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel – Defense Attorneys Mandy Goldman, John Keirnan, Danny Werlinger, Spence Graham and Mario Madrid – CNN NEWS
HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER CHARGED WITH BURGLARY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE – next court date January 26, 2026 – CCL4 – 2598712 – Defendant Carla Wyatt – Defense Attorney – Christopher Downey – ABC13NOW
“FIRST PERSON IN HARRIS COUNTY TO BE CHARGED UNDER NEW STATE LAW ON TERRORISM”next court date January 28, 2026 JURY TRIAL – 488th – 1907121 – Defendant Laith Adil Shehzad – Defense Attorney Jon Stephenson – FOX26NEWS
“DING-DONG-DITCH” MURDER OF 11-YEAR OLD BOY – next court date: February 17, 2026 – 177th – 1931105 – Defendant – Gonzalo Leon.– Defense Attorneys Julio Vela and Gianpaolo Macerola – HPD NEWS RELEASE
STERLING HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT STABS ANOTHER STUDENT – in school – TO DEATH WITH SCISSORS OVER VAPE PEN – next court date: March 10, 2026 – 177th – 1945034 – Defendant Aundre Matthews – Defense Attorney Gianpaolo Macerola – FOX26NEWS
“TURKEY LEG HUT OWNER – CHARGED WITH HINDERING APPREHENSION of a FELON”–next court date: March 26, 2026 – 248th – 1937031 – Defendant Nakia Holmes – Defense Attorney is Maverick Ray – FOX26NEWS
“UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT CHARGED WITH MURDER OF JOCELYN NUNGARAY” – next court date March 31, 2026 – 232nd – 1873327 – Defendant Franklin Pena – Defense Attorneys Natalie Schultz, Danny Werlinger, Lisa Andrews, Ana Funes Baker and Cary Higginbotham – CNN NEWS
“POLICE OFFICER HAROLD PRESTON KILLED RESPONDING TO A DISTURBANCE” next court date April 17, 2026 – 351st – 1694813 – Defendant Elmer Rolando Manzano (deemed incompetent to stand trial) – Defense Attorneys Allen Tanner, Rudy Duarte and Mario Madrid – NBC NEWS
WHO ARE THE JUDICIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY JUDGE POSITIONS FOR 2026? Check out the list below!
Information found on the Harris County Democratic and Republican parties websites
Check your voting status HERE
December 17, 2025 – Show Me The Justice
Congratulations to County Criminal Court at Law Number 8 judge Erika Ramirez (l-r) and to the 185th Criminal District Court judge Andy Beall for scoring the HIGHEST average “EXCELLENT” ratings in 8 different categories in the annual poll conducted by the Houston Bar Association.
HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION JUDICIAL EVALUATION RESULTS – 2025
Below is the list of the TOP 10 misdemeanor and felony judges in order of “top average” “excellent” scores over 8 different categories.
FOR EXCITING LIVE VIDEOS OF HOUSTON CRIME IN PROGRESS VISIT GRIZZY’S HOOD NEWS AT GRIZZYSHOODNEWS.COM
HARRIS COUNTY FELONY COURTS DASHBOARD
HARRIS COUNTY MISDEMEANOR COURTS DASHBOARD
DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE DASHBOARD
HARRIS COUNTY COURTS FACEBOOK PAGE
HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE
THEFT BY CHECK AND ISSUANCE OF A BAD CHECK TRIAL MANUAL
Great tips from the Harris County Court Reporters!
I interviewed 12 experienced court reporters working the Harris County Criminal Courts and got their “inside information” on how jurors, lawyers and witnesses could improve in trial to make it easier for the court reporter to take down ALL the information required of them for a good record. THESE ARE SOME GREAT TIPS! (Interviews took place in 2019)
Katelyn Harrelson has been a court reporter since 2013. She substituted as a court reporter in all the courts until 2015 when she landed a permanent job in County Criminal Court at Law Number 6 with judge Larry Standley. She is now the court reporter in County Criminal Court at Law Number 6 – judge Kelley Andrews presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – EXPLAIN ACTIONS – Lawyers need to remember that the “RECORD” – unlike jurors – cannot “SEE” – it can only “HEAR”. Act like you are on the radio talking to an audience. The audience cannot see so you must explain in words what “action” is happening. So when you hand over a piece of paper to a witness – say what it is for the record! When a witness points to a part of their face that got hit or to something on a blackboard – say where they got hit or what they pointed to on the blackboard for the record! When a witness is demonstrating something for the jury, your radio audience can’t see it so say – in words – what the witness is doing, action-by-action for the record. Whoever reads your record later was NOT in the courtroom. Painting a clearer picture of what was happening makes it much easier for your reader (most likely appellate court) to understand what was going on in the courtroom. It also helps me when editing the transcript. Thank you in advance!
Linda Hacker has been a court reporter since 1990. She worked freelance until 1994 then from 1994 to 2000 she worked as a substitute for the courts. In 2000 she landed a job as court reporter for the 339th then in 2009 as a court reporter for the 177th. She is currently one of several court reporters who work in the Emergency Trial Dockets.
COURT REPORTER TIP – ONE PERSON AT-A-TIME – I know other court reporters have said this and I would like to reiterate – PLEASE slow down AND do not talk over each other! We CANNOT take down your words when two people are talking at the same time or talking too fast. Thank you in advance!
Rachel Peres has been a court reporter since 2013. She spent 5 years as the court reporter for the 313th juvenile court before becoming the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 4 – judge Shannon Baldwin presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – SENSITIVE MICROPHONES – Lawyers need to remember that we have a microphone attached at the bench in order to hear your bench conversations. Please be careful when passing papers or other items to the judge! If those papers or items HITS the microphone the amplified sound hurts our ears. Thank you!
Karen Hendricks Garcia has been a court reporter since 2011. She spent 4 years doing freelance then became the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 11 for 4 years. Since January 2019 she has been the court reporter for the 228th Criminal District Court – judge Caroline Dozier now presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – HANDOUTS FOR JURORS – We could educate jurors BEFORE they enter the courtroom on “how to be a good juror during voir dire.” Perhaps give them handouts in the hall while they wait to come into the courtroom. Tips – speak up, say your juror number before speaking, don’t talk at same time as lawyer, etc.
Amanda Fazio has been a court reporter since 2008. She has spent her entire career assigned to the Harris County criminal courts. She has worked in five criminal courts during those 17 years and is currently the court reporter in the 209th District Court – judge Brian Warren presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – LET THE ANSWER SOAK IN – After a witness answers a question – TAKE A BREATH – and let the answer sink in to the jury! It is difficult to comprehend everything said with running questions and answers. Also, PLEASE give the CITE along with the Case Style when quoting case law to the court, otherwise I have to spend time looking it up.
Ramona Sonnier has been a court reporter since 1999. She worked freelance for 4 years in all types of Harris County courts – including criminal, civil, juvenile, and family. In 2003 she got a permanent position with County Criminal Court at Law Number 5 under judge Margaret Harris and is now in the same court with judge David Fleischer presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – HANDOUTS FOR WITNESSES – I would like to see the witnesses coached better before taking the stand. Let’s give ALL witnesses – before they testify – a “Witness Stand Tips” pamphlet that explains basic things such as: 1) speak loudly, slowly and clearly, 2) don’t speak until the lawyer has stopped speaking, 3) only answer the question posed to you – don’t elaborate 4) the court reporter can only take down what one person says at a time, so don’t interrupt, 5) Don’t talk when a lawyer makes an objection until the judge tells you, etc.
Tiffani June- Russell has been a court reporter since 1998. She worked freelance for 15 of those 27 years while raising 3 children. She is now the full-time court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 7 – Judge Andrew Wright presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – READING FROM A DOCUMENT – Attorneys seem to launch into overdrive when asked to read something from a written document. It’s not really the speed that is the problem, it is that people talk so fast that they don’t speak clearly – don’t mumble. Slow down and enunciate those words! Believe me, if I cannot hear or understand you, the jury cannot either. ALSO, If you are going to be reading from a document and the Court and other side has a copy, please provide a copy to the court reporter.
Leah Leal has been a court reporter since 2014. She has worked her entire career in the criminal court system starting with County Criminal Court at Law Number 10 – Judge Dan Spjut – and more recently as the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 13 – judge Raul Rodriguez presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – CALL OUT JUROR NUMBERS – During voir dire both the Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys need to make sure to identify each prospective juror by either calling out their NUMBER or having the juror say their NUMBER before speaking.
Krista Hall has been a court reporter since 1995. She worked free-lance for about 12 years then worked the civil courts, CPS and misdemeanor courts. She was with Judge Derbyshire until she landed her spot with Judge Sedrick Walker – County Criminal Court at Law Number 11.
COURT REPORTER TIP – DON’T TRAIL OFF – I would like to see the lawyers speak more confidently with the jurors during voir dire. Sometime lawyers trail off while speaking and I can’t hear what they are saying.
Jennifer Slessinger has been a court reporter since 1975. She worked in the criminal courts for 37 years and the family courts for 7 years. She was the court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 8 – judge Franklin Bynum – before retiring in 2022.
COURT REPORTER TIP – BLUEPRINT OF TRIAL – It would be helpful if the lawyers would give us a blueprint of the trial – meaning a list of all the witnesses with correct spelling of their names and all the exhibits. Also, please do not talk over each other.
Shannon Simmons has been a court reporter since 1997. She was a freelance reporter for twenty-one years, did a year in juvenile court then worked as a court reporter for County Criminal Court at Law Number 10. Now she is with the 496th Criminal District Court, judge Dan Simons presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – NO MUMBLING – I would like to see lawyers who are speaking to the jury NOT trail off and mumble (as if they were thinking out loud when speaking.) Enunciate every word loudly and clearly to the audience, please!
Carrie Logan has been a court reporter for over 30 years – almost entirely in felony criminal courts. She worked for judge George Godwin in the 174th for eight years and with judge Susan Brown in the 185th for 20 years. She is now the court reporter for the 185th – judge Andy Beall presiding.
COURT REPORTER TIP – NUMBERS – Please make sure numbers are clarified for the record. For example, Check #522 for $5.22 on 5-22 are all opportunities to confuse the reader and the listener. It’s so helpful to reinforce what the number actually is referencing by stating “Check No. 522, dated May 22, for the amount of five dollars and twenty-two cents.” When speaking of currency, it is helpful to clearly state the dollar amount such as “five dollars and twenty-two cents” OR “five hundred twenty-two dollars.” Although it’s common vernacular to state five twenty-two and context can usually clear it up, it makes for clearer listening and reading.
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