About the Author Jeff “The Rosster” Ross
I am a 42-year veteran Prosecutor (television clips) , Chief Prosecutor (newspaper clips) and criminal defense lawyer – and I created this website to acknowledge the excellent efforts of my colleagues who work with felonies and misdemeanors at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center in Houston, Texas.
I publish trials in progress, trial verdicts, in-trial pleas and dismissals, trial setting dismissals, trial standings, judge standings, lawyer statistics, lawyer standings, photos and other court news and nuggets.
“My goal is to shine a light on the fine prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges and other courthouse personnel who serve the interest of justice in our community. Our work is the last line of defense for those who will lose their freedom or become free. Thanks to all for your fine work!”
For additions, deletions, corrections or to send a head shot or trial victory in another county please contact me at (cell) 713-582-4462 or (email) jeffross486@gmail.com
Published: Weekly – Every Friday by 5pm – Publishing deadline is 3pm Fridays – First Publication February 2017
“TRIAL IN PROGRESS” – HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE. Trials in Progress are updated twice-a-day and the information is gathered from the Harris County District Clerk’s website – “preview docket sheet” found under the“images” tab of the case summary page
AUG 14th – updated 6a
179th Court
CONTINUOUS SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
1879041 – Prosecutors Traemon Anderson and Radarius Morrow – Defense Joe Wells and Kim Cleary (judge Ana Martinez presiding: opening statements 1p August 17th)
208th Court
POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DELIVER A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
1966574 – Prosecutor Abraham Chopin – Defense Wilvin Carter and Teresa Lakho (judge Beverly Armstrong presiding: state’s case resumes 9a August 14th)
263rd Court
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
1958216 – Prosecutors Cody Kelemen and Sara Singer – Defense Terrance Jewett and Scott Chapmann (judge Melissa Morris presiding: case resumes August 17th)
January 31, 2024 — Houston police have charged Oscar Vasquez-Guzman, 42, with murder in connection with a shooting that killed 19-year-old Otarion Lomax and wounded two women, ages 18 and 19.
According to HPD, the three victims were traveling southbound on the Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59) near Hillcroft Avenue on January 26 when someone in a gray or silver Toyota Tundra opened fire on their vehicle.
The victims were transported by private vehicle to a hospital on Beechnut Street. Lomax suffered a life-threatening gunshot wound and died the following day. The two women sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated and released.
Investigators identified Vasquez-Guzman as a suspect, and he was arrested on January 30. He was booked into the Harris County Jail and charged with murder in the 263rd District Court.
Source: Houston Police Department
496th Court
SERIOUS BODILY INJURY TO A CHILD
1878712 – Prosecutors Keegan Childers and Blue McCreary – Defense Ralph Martinez (judge Dan Simons presiding: opening statements 10:30a August 17th)
497th Court
SUPER AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
1958978 – Prosecutors Nidia Ventura and Mikeala Morris – Defense Vafa Jasemi Zergani, Max Patterson and Alex Tijerina (judge Peyton Peebles presiding: defense’s case resumes 10a August 14th)
ERD Court
CAPITAL MURDER
1970743 – Prosecutors Samantha Knecht, Garrett Moore and Selah Lile – Defense Julio Vela, Jacob Vela and Gianpaolo Macerola (visiting judge Wayne Mallia presiding 4th floor Family Law Center: state’s case resumes 9:30a August 14th)
Two men charged with the January 2023 murders of James Gerald Martin III and Dana Ryssdal have been extradited to Harris County after being located in Vietnam. Polie Phan (defendant in above case) and Jaidan Nguyen each face capital murder charges. A third suspect, Kathy Vu, has been charged with tampering with evidence. Authorities credited the successful investigation and extradition to the coordinated efforts of local, federal, and international law enforcement agencies.
Court 4
DWI (involving a death)
2559957 – Prosecutors Jonathan Hardegree and Aliyah Miller– Defense Ruben Restrepo, Jr. and Daniel Gilbert (judge Shannon Baldwin presiding: case resumes August 14th)
April 14, 2025 — Two men have been charged with DWI following a fatal motorcycle crash in the 9100 block of Ley Road that killed a 52-year-old woman.
According to HPD, Tony Bernard Cherry, 45, was operating a Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Ley Road shortly before 1 a.m. on April 13 when he encountered a Chevrolet Traverse stopped in the roadway. Cherry attempted to swerve around the vehicle, lost control of the motorcycle, and he and his female passenger were ejected. Police said there appeared to be no contact between the motorcycle and the Chevrolet.
The passenger, who was not wearing a helmet, was pronounced dead at the scene. Cherry, who also was not wearing a helmet, was transported to a hospital with head and upper-body injuries.
Investigators determined the Chevrolet’s driver, Raymond Joe Mynar, 61, was asleep behind the wheel while the vehicle was in drive with his foot on the brake.
Police said both drivers showed signs of intoxication. Cherry was charged with felony DWI–third offense in the 176th District Court, while Mynar was charged with DWI in Harris County Criminal Court No. 4.
Source: Houston Police Department
Court 5
DWI >.15
2585617 – Prosecutor Shantia Shah – Defense Myrecia Donaldson and Kyianna Sykes (judge David Fleischer presiding: state’s case resumes 9a August 14th)