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 24th – updated 6a
179th Court
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
1828565 – Prosecutors Marie Defretin and Radarius Morrow – Defense Jessica Anderson and Jorge Garcia Diaz (judge Ana Martinez presiding: opening statements 1p August 24th)
209th Court
CAPITAL MURDER
1862632 – Prosecutors Erandy Marquez and Brianna Perry – Defense Paul Morgan (judge Brian Warren presiding: opening statements 9:30a August 24th)
230th Court
EVADING ARREST WITH A VEHICLE
1916217 – Prosecutor Brekeese Pierce – Defense Neil Krugh (judge Chris Morton presiding: opening statements 9:30a August 24th)
232nd Court
MURDER
1851640 – Prosecutor Kimberly Smith – Defense Murray Newman (judge Josh Hill presiding: opening statements 9:30a August 24th)
262nd Court
MURDER
1803868 – Prosecutors Jacob Salinas and Anthony Esparza – Defense Brad Haggard and Jason Luong (judge Lori Chambers Gray presiding: state’s case resumes 10a August 24th)
According to a Houston Police Department press release, Joshua Toliver, 30, was arrested and charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and felon in possession of a weapon following a January 9, 2023 shooting at a convenience store located at 3341 Winbern Street in Houston.
Police reported that Craig Jefferson, 34, was fatally shot, while a second man, 45, was wounded and transported to a hospital in stable condition. Investigators believe Jefferson and the suspect became involved in an argument that escalated into gunfire, after which the shooter fled the scene on foot. HPD homicide investigators subsequently identified Toliver as the suspect. He was arrested without incident and charged in the 262nd State District Court of Harris County
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: jury deliberated 2:15p – 7:19p August 21st – to continue deliberations 9a August 24th)
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
338th Court
AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
1941840 – Prosecutors R.J. Martinez and Elizabeth Russell – Defense Julie Ketterman and Arienna Toh (judge Michele Oncken presiding: opening statements 12p August 24th)
351st Court
MURDER
1703697 – Prosecutors Ellie Fossier and Rachel Barlow – Defense Nancy Knox-Bierman and William Cheadle (judge Nata Cornelio presiding: state’s evidence resumes 10:30a August 24th)
Kelly Slayton, 24, has been charged with murder after missing Houston man Joshua Pavey, 30, was found fatally shot inside her northwest Harris County apartment.
According to court records, Pavey suffered a gunshot wound to the neck. Investigators were led to Slayton after she was arrested near Fort Worth following an alleged road-rage shooting and police chase while driving Pavey’s vehicle.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Slayton and Pavey entering the apartment, but Pavey was never seen leaving. Slayton was later recorded removing items from the apartment and eventually leaving in Pavey’s vehicle.
Pavey was last seen December 19 and was reported missing after he failed to show up for work. Investigators subsequently searched Slayton’s apartment and discovered his body in a bedroom.
Slayton is charged with murder. The charge is an allegation, and she is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
ERD Court
AGGRAVATED ROBBERY
1908051 – Prosecutors R.G. and Morgan Kline – Defense Allison Mathis and Stephen Touchstone (visiting judge Susan Brown presiding, 4th floor Family Law Center: punishment evidence continues from defense August 24th)
ERD Court
SEXUAL ASSAULT
1797634 – Prosecutors Jay Gordon and Lisa Calligan – Defense Wilvin Carter and Teresa Lakho (visiting judge Kaycee Jones presiding, 4th floor Family Law Center: opening statements 9a August 24th)
Court 16
DWI
2595605 – Prosecutor Meher Iqbal – Defense Sarah Gaucher and Duncan Isaac (judge Linda Garcia presiding: state’s case to resume August 24th)