Kristene Chapa's girlfriend died from the 2012 attack. "Not only was his DNA found on objects left at the crime scene, but a lab report now undeniably shows that the hair pulled from Kristine Chapas body is in fact (the man's) hair," the November motion states. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night, June 22, 2012, that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. The biological evidence then became a point of contention, seemingly highlighting his potential involvement in the crime. Additionally, a firearms expert at the Texas Department of Public Safety testified that the bullet casing at the scene likely matched Strickland's handgun. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple. Previously, DNA found on a cigarette butt and energy drink can at the scene both matched to Spellman. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. KRIS 6 News obtained the almost 20 second audio clip of the police call to Portland PD, but some of it was inaudible. (AP Photo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Michael Zamora). Nevertheless, the jury found David, then 30, guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. Sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1973 for two counts of rape. Photos of Mary Kristene Chapa (left) and her girlfriend Mollie Judith Olgin that were given to people attending a candle light vigil for the girls Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. He was also seen talking to people at the crime scene, telling them that his partner, Laura, knew one of the victims. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. WebMollie Olgin was a 19-year-old woman murdered on June 22, 2012 in Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas after she and her girlfriend were attacked and shot. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. Messages left by NBC News seeking comment from Chapa and her family werent immediately returned. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, she holds a Master?s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a Master?s in sociology from Michigan State University. ', Garza replied 'just come now'. Its a difficult situation when you walk in on a welfare check and then you discover three deceased bodies, and especially ones a child.. More: David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Sign up to have news emailed to you daily, David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Layton man was tracked down, but he had a solid alibi for the night of the murder. [7] He was arrested two days later after the biggest fugitive hunt in Texas state history. Garza shot both Phillips and Eli twice, Cory said. "While we know the community has many questions, this is still an active investigation and we would not want to do anything to jeopardize the case," Portland Police Chief Gary Giles said in a news release. U.S. During her recovery, Chapa worked with police to help identify her shooter. U.S. Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head last Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. NBCs Dateline: The Overlook chronicles how the police zeroed in on David using a letter sent to Kristenes father. A couple out bird watching the next morning found the girls Olgin had died but Chapa, who tried to claw her way out of the thorny brush, was alive. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. His sentence will automatically be appealed. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death. IE 11 is not supported. But Kristene, who was 18 years old at the time, was still alive and rushed to a hospital, where she recovered over time. Dispatch attempted to get more information from him, police said. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Spellman had been staying with his father's best friend just down the street from the scene of the crime. The results, Strickland's lawyers argue,reveal it belonged to the other man. 47 Two years after a brutal attack on a female couple near Corpus Christi made national headlines, a break in the case has resulted in two arrests. U.S. Chief Wright said that although the events did seem more like measured attacks than a random action, they were not currently investigating the murder as a hate crime. Almost exactly two years earlier, on June 22, 2012, Mollie Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, who was then 18, were found in a birdwatching area at Violet Andrews Park in Portland near Corpus Christi. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Plz, help.. Angela Weddle carries a sign during the Pride Bigger Than Texas Parade held Saturday June 30, 2012. I want to have my independence back.". Mollie Judith Olgin, a 19 year old student at Texas A&M, was declared dead; Mary Christine Chapa, 18, was taken to a nearby hospital where she is said to be in serious but stable condition. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. Cops found three people dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Roel Garza. Convicted in 1979 of aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. Later on, David even confessed to the crime, saying he attacked Mollie and Kristene because they were mean to his wife, who was a server at a restaurant. It was higher than in 44.6% U.S. cities. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. [8] In October 1999, he was executed in the Huntsville Unit by lethal injection. David and Laura owned a car that matched the description. Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital murder. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, This is what Houston looks like from space, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. Strickland's appealis still making it's way through the legal system. Sister Peggy Ritual and Jason Haas share a moment of silence at a vigil. They followed my story since day one and I want to thank everybody for that.". Every episode of ABC's award-winning talk show "The View" is now available as a podcast! Police have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. Vigils for the women are also scheduled for Friday in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Texas, among other cities. facing charges of capital murder, aggravated assault with a weapon and aggravated sexual assault in the June 23, 2012, attack, who tried to claw her way out of the thorny brush. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital murder. The incident was premeditated. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison and dumped her body in a park about 25 miles (40km) from Lake Hawkins. [emailprotected]. Chapa had to relearn how to walk, talk and even smile again after the attack, she said, noting that she's now "doing well" overall. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Under the police timeline, the father killed his family, made the 911 call and then died by suicide. Olgin, 19, and Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Friends of the girls have said that Olgin and Chapa began dating five months ago. 47 Two years after a brutal attack on a female couple near Corpus Christi made national headlines, a break in the case has resulted in two arrests. The prosecution did not seek the death penalty and Strickland was sentenced to life imprisonment. When questioned about the letter, the Layton man noted a photo of him included in the letter had been taken by Strickland's wife Laura. "He couldn't even look at me, which was disappointing, because I wanted him to see what he had done.". About 50 people attended the event. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. At the time, Strickland denied shooting and raping the girls. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we? First responders discovered Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. When a dispatcher asked 'what's going on there? After an investigation, police confirmed that Garza shot his child and wife, and then took his own life shortly after hanging up with Portland PD. "It's difficult for the citizens of this community, it's difficult on the officers of this department, It's difficult with everybody that was involved at the scene," said Portland PD Cheif Mark Cory. Gay rights groups have called for a thorough police investigation into the fatal shooting of a teenage woman and wounding of her girlfriend in the park. According to police, around 1:30 a.m., a man called 911 and told officers he was distraught and to go to Escondido St. They remained Tuesday in the San Patricio County Jail on no bond. U.S. Despite having the sketches, Portland Police, who were investigating the case with help from the Texas Rangers, had no leads until earlier this month. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for the two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. PHOTOS: A Visual History of the Gay-Rights Movement. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Kevin Porter Jr. return can't end Rockets' growing losing streak, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, A new musical spotlights a Texas bank-robbing legend. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night, June 22, 2012, that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. A birdwatching couple at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas, came across Mollie and Kristenes bodies on the morning of June 23, 2012. Orr and prosecutors with the San Patricio County District Attorney's officecould not immediately be reached for comment. Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, and her girlfriend, Mollie Olgin, 19, were shot in the head at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas on June 22. [8] The letter accused a Layton, Utah, man of the murder of Olgin; police found that the man had an alibi. "I struggle with [post-traumatic stress disorder] and anxiety. Police said Hlavka had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the electric cord from her clock radio.[1]. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. Chapa is currently taking college courses while writing a book about her experience. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. The Portland Police Department released this sketch July 4, 2012, in the attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. Eyewitnesses also placed Spellman at Violet Andrews Park both before and after the crime. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. 0:59 David Strickland was not the person who killed a 19-year-old in a Portland park, and new DNA evidence proves it, attorneys for Strickland say. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. DNA testing was previously pending ona pubichair found on Chapa. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2016. She was found the next day. The hair was matched to an initial suspect in the crime, Dylan Spellman, who had recently pleaded guilty to his involvement in an armed robbery in Nevada in which he and his cohorts referred to each other by numbers, mirroring the way Mollie and Kristene were referred to as "number one" and "number two" during their assault. We've been working very hard to make sure we get him as soon as possible. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, and her girlfriend, Mollie Olgin, 19, were shot in the head at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas on June 22. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. Identified any suspects or announced any arrests potential involvement in the head on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m. a! 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