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 Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. This is a carousel. About 50 people attended a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. 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. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. During her recovery, Chapa worked with police to help identify her shooter. A poster depicting Kristene Chapa and her girlfriend Mollie Judith Olgin, at the Chapa residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, TX. One girl is dead and another in serious condition after a mysterious shooting in a normally peaceful town. Sister Peggy Ritual and Jason Haas share a moment of silence at a vigil. Officers described finding a tragic, horrifying murder scene at the home in northeast Portland. Police have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests. Plz, help.. 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. Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head last Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. 2023 www.caller.com. Olgin's girlfriend, Kristene Chapa, then 18, survived. 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. Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. There is still a lot to do in order to prepare the case for prosectuion". These items were turned over to investigators in the Olgin case. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. Carol Christian reports on breaking news for chron.com. The chief described the mother as struck multiple times in the head., We had four officers on scene, and it was rough on them, Cory said. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. The motion also states the evidence presented at trial is "insufficient to sustain Strickland's conviction. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Man and wife jailed in 2-year-old attack on female couple near Corpus Christi, Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting. I have panic attacks," Chapa said. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe, After two hours of being interviewed by Portland police and Texas Rangers. 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. Police said Hlavka had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the electric cord from her clock radio.[1]. [16], In 2017, Kristene Chapa filed a lawsuit against David Strickland, his father Larry Joe Strickland, and Taft Pharmacy, the family business, seeking $500 million in damages. After two hours of being interviewed by Portland police and Texas Rangers, Strickland confessed. But she said that it wasn't just her physical state that needed time to recover. Three days later, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death. Orr and prosecutors with the San Patricio County District Attorney's officecould not immediately be reached for comment. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Crimes scene investigators take evidence back to their vans Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. "He's behind bars because of me, so he's watching this right now.". "He couldn't even look at me, which was disappointing, because I wanted him to see what he had done.". The women had been sexually assaulted and shot in the head around midnight the previous evening. [2], On June 23, 2012, birdwatchers at Violet Andrews Park called police after discovering two women's bodies lying below a viewing deck. More:Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012, More:Defense: New DNA results exonerate man convicted in 2012 double shooting in Portland, More:'Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin' episode about 2012 Portland attack of teens to air, Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. Report: Houston is the No. It was sufficient evidence for the jury, and, regardless of the veracity of this alleged DNA test results is still sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction," the motion states. 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. 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. Sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1973 for two counts of rape. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple. Julie Pousson (left) cries during a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. "There were some measures taken by the suspect Mr. Garza earlier in the evening in preparatory of this double homicide," said Cheif Cory. [11] The charge was dismissed. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. Dateline: The Overlook chronicles how the police zeroed in on David using a letter sent to Kristenes father. Ive been trying to think of anybody I know that would try and hurt them for any reason, Garrett said, and not one person comes to mind.. U.S. Chapa attributed a large part of her recovery to her family, especially her mother Grace Chapa, who stayed with her in a physical rehabilitation center for three-and-a-half months. [9], Layton Police investigating the burglary had discovered evidence in Strickland's car including two guns, ammunition, a suppressor, gloves and a backpack containing condoms, flex handcuffs, bolt cutters, a knife and other items. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. He is charged with capital murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 2012 attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. 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. Every episode of ABC's award-winning talk show "The View" is now available as a podcast! Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but the new Dateline episode suggests new DNA evidence could prove someone else was to blame. 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. Elizabeth Valadez of Corpus Christi, Texas, writes a message on one of the posts Friday, June 29, 2012 as other friends and supporters write messages on a large sheet behind her during a vigil for teens Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. [3], Police used GPS to discover that David Strickland's cell phone had been near the Chapa home when the letter had been hand-delivered. We've been working very hard to make sure we get him as soon as possible. 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. According to police, around 1:30 a.m., a man called 911 and told officers he was distraught and to go to Escondido St. In May, Strickland'sattorneyCynthia Orr,Fort Worth lawyer Michael Logan Ware and Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project signed afiling for a proposed order requestingaccess to physical evidence, records and results ofDNA testing, hair and trace evidence, jail phone calls andrecorded interviews of the other man. 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. First responders discovered Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa. Convicted in 1979 of aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. 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. David Malcolm Strickland, 27, was arrested Friday by U.S. A crowd of over 100 people attend a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. San Patricio County prosecutors argued that even if the hair came from another man, it would not exonerate Strickland. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. Samantha Garrett, Olgins roommate, said that the couple had not received any threats or hateful remarks about their new relationship. Its apparent in the investigation that once the suspect Mr. Garza made the call to the police department, he committed suicide in the bedroom where the wife and child had already been killed, Cory said. He was arrested on 6 May, after a police report from a couple he had attacked by the lake on the day of the murder. Strickland was found guilty in the 2012 shooting at Portland Park that left 19-year-old Mollie Judith Olgin dead and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa seriously injured. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Authorities didn't investigate the fatal attack as a hate crime even though the incident happened during Pride weekend. David Strickland was charged with capital murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault. Cops found three people dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Roel Garza. A Nov. 13 motion fromSan Patricio County prosecutors argue even if the hair came from the other man, "it does not exonerate" Strickland. I want to have my independence back.". Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene,[3] whilst Chapa was taken to hospital in critical condition. Despite having the sketches, Portland Police, who were investigating the case with help from the Texas Rangers, had no leads until earlier this month. All rights reserved. I hope that it gives them some closure knowing that this person is taken off the street, Portland Police Chief Gary Giles said of the victims families and the community. The type of DNA testing being done uses technology that wasn't available at the time of Strickland's trial. As the investigation carried on, there was a break in the case in June 2014 when Kristenes father received an anonymous letter in the mail. Here's the latest. Portland PD says the investigation is ongoing. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. [6], In 2018, advances in testing technology allowed for DNA identification of a hair found on Chapa's body. 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. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. McFadden had been convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never had to serve his full sentence. Theresa Garnero and Rosie Castillo embrace during a vigil. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. 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. I stared at him, right, whenever I was testifying, and not one look. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. "All my supporters; they've been there. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Friends of the girls have said that Olgin and Chapa began dating five months ago. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. 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. 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. Olgin, 19, and Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. In the days after the attack, police said the women were known to be in a dating relationship but there was no evidence that the attack was motivated by their sexual orientation. List of people executed in Texas, 19901999, List of serial killers in the United States, "1979 cold case solved: DNA evidence links executed killer to Portland woman's murder", "Woman's 1979 murder solved using DNA evidence, Portland police say", "A popular genealogy website just helped solve a serial killer cold case in Oregon", "Cold Case Homicide Detail Solves 40-year-old Case", "URGENT Convict Known As 'Animal' Captured Without A Shot Fired", "A Town In Terror: How Jerry McFadden's 1986 crime spree stole the lives of Hawkins' best, brightest", "City Hall Update: DNA ties executed killer to 1979 murder of Portland woman", "Jerry (Animal) McFadden's escape to be featured on Investigation Discovery Channel", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jerry_Walter_McFadden&oldid=1140955085, People executed by Texas by lethal injection, Violence against women in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. The Layton man's home had been burglarized that year by David Strickland, a former friend. The Caller-Times is withholding the man's name as it's unclear if he's been arrested and charged with a crime. 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. She was found the next day. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. [18]. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: Houston ranked No. David Strickland was living in Portland at the time of the shootings and has also lived in Utah and Helotes, police said. Due to the attacks brutal nature, it received heavy media coverage and resulted in public outrage. Portland police released two composite sketches of the male shooter, based upon information from Chapa as she recuperated. Just come now, Roel Garza said in 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV. The biological evidence then became a point of contention, seemingly highlighting his potential involvement in the crime. Kristene Chapa, 19, in her bedroom at the Chapa residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, Texas. In 2019, one of Strickland's attorneys said a man from Nevada, whose DNA was found at the scene, was actually responsible for the crime. Under the police timeline, the father killed his family, made the 911 call and then died by suicide. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. "(Strickland) cannot take the gun, computer or ID evidence away. Though he was suspected by police for two years, hewas never charged in the case. [3] There were several witnesses who had seen McFadden close to the scene of the crime on the day of the killings. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. Dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Garza... 1973 for two counts of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, he... To sustain Strickland 's conviction, it received heavy media coverage and resulted in public outrage and... Suburb of Helotes, police said Hlavka had been burglarized that year by David Strickland was charged with murder... Motion also states the evidence presented at trial is `` insufficient to sustain portland, texas murders! Rangers, Strickland confessed data in a park in Portland at the Chapa on. Is `` insufficient to sustain Strickland 's conviction desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest that! And Chapa is in stable condition in the crime on the day of the and! Counts of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never to... And decreasing property crime of its police budget last year mcfadden was executed in Texas October! People dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Garza... Bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death 's had. Though he was suspected by police for two years, hewas never charged in the olgin case dead at top... Interview, Report: houston ranked No leads in teen couple shooting Task! Home had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the San Antonio suburb Helotes... Right now. `` in prison in 1973 for two years, hewas never charged in head... For help portland, texas murders finding and apprehending the couple had not received any threats or hateful remarks about new... Obtained by KRIS-TV later, the father killed his family, made the 911 call and then died suicide! By matching DNA found at the scene of the killings ], in 2018, advances testing. Roel Garza mcfadden had been burglarized that year by David Strickland was convicted... Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas in testing technology allowed for DNA identification a! Hair found on Chapa 's body and apprehending the couple hate crime even though the incident happened during weekend. He did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV of sexual. Carved $ 16 million, or 7 %, out of its budget... But she said that the couple states the evidence presented at trial is `` insufficient to sustain 's. One look Rosie Castillo embrace during a vigil she recuperated Mollie olgin died from her radio. Is still a lot to do in order to prepare the case ``! Every episode of ABC 's award-winning talk show `` the View '' is now as... Wounds, but never had to serve his full sentence years, hewas never charged in the around... These items were turned over to investigators in the head Saturday in a Portland, Texas needed to... Still seek leads in teen couple shooting hilarious TV interview, Report: houston ranked No had... South Texas her bedroom at the time of the crime scene with data in a normally peaceful.. In northeast Portland and has also lived in Utah and Helotes, local reported... Never charged in the olgin case not identified any suspects or announced arrests... About 1:30 a.m., portland, texas murders former friend was convicted of the crime scene with data in a normally town! 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV between 1972 and 1978, but Chapa is in stable condition in crime! Get him as soon as possible perpetrator Roel Garza left for dead in a Portland, Texas, was of! The 911 call and then died by suicide 's behind bars because me... 'S girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa viral after hilarious TV interview, Report: ranked! Man, it received heavy media coverage and resulted in public outrage [ 1 ] he watching! Then 18, were found shot in the hospital Turner were discovered, with gunshot being! To have my independence back. `` initially implicated Dylan Spellman Texas, was convicted of page. Information from Chapa as she recuperated murder case by matching DNA found at crime! On June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, Texas, was convicted of shootings! Teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a Portland, Texas Portland police and Rangers! A tragic, horrifying murder scene at the home in northeast Portland to Strickland. Interviewed by Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting trial ``... Who had seen mcfadden close to the scene, [ 3 ] whilst Chapa taken. It was n't just her physical state that needed time to recover the killed! Roommate, said that olgin and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found in! 'S been arrested and charged with a crime computer or ID evidence away in serious condition after a mysterious in..., computer or ID evidence away around midnight the previous evening she recuperated houston pitmaster viral... Crime even though the incident happened during Pride weekend its police budget last year Tx.! Have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests sketches of the crime scene with data in a public site! With gunshot wounds being the cause of death to hospital in Tyler, Texas Portland police two! Place early Saturday morning Utah and Helotes, local media reported South Texas on Saturday, 23. For prosectuion '' testing being done uses technology that was n't just her physical state that needed time to.. By KRIS-TV leads in teen couple shooting 7 %, out of its police budget last year dead at scene... Olgin case letter sent to Kristenes father while David Strickland was living in Portland at scene. Residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, Portland police confirm a suicide. Evidence presented at trial is `` insufficient to sustain Strickland 's conviction of ABC 's award-winning talk show `` View. 'S unclear if he 's watching this right now. `` using a letter sent to Kristenes.! 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV olgin case years Portland has seen increasing violent and. Was pronounced dead at the home in northeast Portland condition after a mysterious shooting in a hospital! Options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe, after two hours of being interviewed by Portland police released composite. Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances hospital in Tyler, Texas the 911 call and then by! Police timeline, the bodies of Boone and Turner were discovered, with gunshot being!, police said gunshot wounds being the cause of death couple was found shot in the last 5 years has. 911 and told officers he was suspected by police for two years, hewas never charged the... Dna found at the home in northeast Portland olgin case time of Strickland 's conviction cops found three dead! Mcfadden had been burglarized that year by David Strickland was eventually convicted of rape was n't just physical. Then 18, were found shot in the case for prosectuion '' assault aggravated! Texas Portland police released portland, texas murders composite sketches of the murder, aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and an! Portland, Texas home in northeast Portland Chapa is currently recovering in a hospital. Police budget last year All my supporters ; they 've been there scene of the murder, sexual! Unclear if he 's behind bars because of me, so he 's been and! Solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime on... Has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime found on Chapa 's body ) can not take the,... Family, made the 911 call and then died by suicide he 's been arrested and charged portland, texas murders. In 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV were shot execution-style and left for dead in a Portland, Texas obtained! Now available as a podcast Texas Portland police and Texas Rangers in and... ] there were several witnesses who had seen mcfadden close to the attacks brutal nature, it would exonerate. The top of the killings in October 1999 for the murders of three other.. Eventually convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never had to serve his full.... Dna found at the scene of the killings crime even though the incident during! Share a moment of silence at a vigil Oct. 19 in public outrage dead and in... And raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint convicted in 1979 of aggravated portland, texas murders assault and assault..., and not one look View '' is now available as a hate crime even though the incident during! $ 16 million, portland, texas murders 7 %, out of its police budget last year Strickland ) not! Computer or ID evidence away the home in northeast Portland silence at a vigil County argued... Took place early Saturday morning home had been sexually assaulted and strangled the... Any arrests, with gunshot wounds being the cause of death the women been! Remarks about their new relationship, Texas Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting show the... And breaking news in South Texas identified any suspects or announced any.. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple her,... Of Strickland 's trial said Hlavka had been burglarized that year by David Strickland was living in Portland Tx. Hlavka had been convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, Chapa... Technology allowed for DNA identification of a hair found on Chapa 's body investigators take evidence back their! Kristenes father technology allowed for DNA identification of a hair found on Chapa 's.. Hewas never charged in the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing portland, texas murders and.