‘Chasing our tail’ | Victims angry over yet another snag in legal process of accused Santa Fe shooter
The final hurdle to overcome is a change in the judge hearing the accused shooter’s case.
SANTA FE, Texas – The families of victims and survivors of the 2018 Santa Fe High School mass shooting are waiting to hear when their next day in court is. They are still waiting for the accused shooter to stand trial five years after the tragedy.
Many of them said they were disappointed to hear that the judge in the case of the accused shooter has been removed.
They said they found out Judge Jeth Jones was removed via text message. He was “disqualified” because his former law partner worked briefly on the accused shooter’s case. The case is now moving to Judge Lonnie Cox’s courtroom.
The victims’ group and the families of the victims are shocked by yet another delay in the trial. They said the case has dragged on and getting a new judge, in their eyes, is another delay.
The group represents some of the people who were injured or lost loved ones in the shooting.
“Every time we go to court, it’s just like another hit. The defense always wins their arguments and we always feel like we’re chasing our own tail – we’re never going anywhere in this case,” Scot Rice, whose wife Flo was injured in the shooting, he said.
No new court date has been set and the accused gunman remains in a North Texas hospital after being declared incapable of standing trial.
The fifth anniversary of the shooting is next week, and KHOU 11 will have more stories about the changes they’re continuing to fight for (including several bills in this legislative session) and the tortuous legal path that’s gotten them to this point.
Grace White on social media: Facebook | Chirping
