Officers

President
Samuel E. Bassett, Austin
President-Elect
John A. Convery, San Antonio
1st Vice President
David E. Moore, Longview
2nd Vice President
Mark Snodgrass, Lubbock
Treasurer
Kerri Anderson-Donica, Corsicana
Secretary
Grant M. Scheiner, Houston
Editor, Voice for the Defense
Michael Gross, San Antonio
Editor, Significant Decisions Report
Kathleen Nacozy
Immediate Past President
Emmett Harris, Uvalde
Executive Director
Joseph A. Martinez, Austin
Directors
Susan E. Anderson, Dallas
Marjorie Bachman, Austin
Heather J. Barbieri, Plano
Robert J. Barrera, San Antonio
Curtis Barton, Houston
Rick Berry, Marshall
Fred C. Brigman, San Angelo
Clint Broden, Dallas
Jim Darnell Sr., El Paso
Nicole DeBorde, Houston
Donald H. Flanary, San Antonio
Stephen Gordon, Haltom City
Deandra M. Grant, Richardson
Michael C. Gross, San Antonio
Keith S. Hampton, Austin
Melissa L. Hannah, Lufkin
Jo Ann Jacinto, El Paso
Steve A. Keathley, Corsicana
Laurie L. Key, Lubbock
Adam L. Kobs, San Antonio
Bradley K. Lollar, Dallas
Louis Elias Lopez Jr., El Paso
Hiram McBeth, Dallas
Michael A. McDougal, Conroe
George R. Milner lll, Dallas
Angela J. Moore, San Antonio
Anthony C. Odiorne, Burnet
Stephanie K. Patten, Fort Worth
Oscar O. Pea Laredo
Carole J. Powell, El Paso
Bennie Ray, Austin
Ray Rodriguez, Laredo
Sarah E. Roland, Denton
Jeremy Rosenthal, McKinney
David Ryan, Houston
John Hunter Smith, Sherman
Edward A. Stapleton, Brownsville
Clay B. Steadman, Kerrville
George Taylor, San Antonio
Oscar Vega, McAllen
Jani Maselli Wood, Houston
Greg Westfall, Arlington
Associate Directors
Chris Abel, Flower Mound
Roberto Balli, Laredo
Casie Gotro, Houston
Michael Head, Athens
Susan Kelly Johnston, Waco
Nathan L. Miller, Houston
Michelle Moore, Marble Falls
Audrey Moorehead, Dallas
Michelle Ochoa, Beeville
Scott H. Pawgan, Conroe
Carmen Roe, Houston
Frank Sellers, Lubbock
Monique Sparks, Houston
Courtney Stamper, Waxahachie
Mark Thiessen, Houston
Gregory Allen Waldron, Longview

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) remains concerned
regarding developments in the Waco biker cases.

Last week, a Detective from one of the investigating police agencies on the biker
cases was appointed to serve as a grand jury foreman. It is reported that same
grand jury may consider the case involving the accused bikers. This is shocking,
even though within the technical requirements of the law regarding grand jury
service. The fact that a District Judge approved this appointment makes it even
more concerning. It is TCDLAs hope that the grand jury seated with the Detective
as foreman will not consider this complex case. Imagine a private investigator for
one of the defendants attorneys being appointed to the grand jury considering
the case? That would not be any more appropriate.

TCDLAs concerns with this case began when a Justice of the Peace with strong
law enforcement ties set identical bonds of $1,000,000 for each person arrested.
It took weeks for almost all of the bonds to be reduced, as was appropriate. In the
meantime, many of the accused lost their jobs. The delays in getting proper bonds
set with cut and paste arrest warrants was a breakdown in our system of
justice.

TCDLA believes that you carry out justice, even in complex cases, if there is a
commitment to due process from both sides of the bar and judges. It is hoped that
a stronger commitment moving forward will be implemented.

Sam Bassett
President
Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

TCDLA founded in 1971

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