Threatening rap lyrics lead to arrest
Mesquite teen accused of writing rap tune to threaten classmate
By MICHAEL GRABELL / The Dallas Morning News
MESQUITE, Texas - A Mesquite high school student was indicted on felony stalking charges after he recorded a rap song that threatened another student, the Dallas County Sheriff's Department said Wednesday.
Authorities say Brock Anthony Coleman, a 17-year-old honor student and gang leader, wrote the song and distributed it to friends at Mesquite Horn High School late last year.
The four-minute song called "Lullaby" has lyrics about the rapper coming to the student's home with guns and using him as a piñata.
"With all the violence we've had in schools of late, it's really a concern of ours," said Sgt. Don Peritz, Sheriff's Department spokesman. "I don't think this is the kind of stuff you're going to hear on American Idol."
Sgt. Peritz said Mr. Coleman also made threatening phone calls, followed the student and went to the student's home with other gang members to intimidate him.
But Mr. Coleman said the student's mother and police are "blowing it out of proportion." He denied being in a gang and said the targeted student told him he likes the song.
"He called me up and said it was tight," he said in an interview. "He'd come to school and his friends would play it in the parking lot, in the stereos in their trucks. I guess it was supposed to intimidate me."
A woman who answered the phone at the other student's home said the family wasn't going to comment.
Sgt. Peritz said they had to take the situation seriously.
"We don't have the ability to second-guess anybody, especially in this type of situation where you've got a threatening song, where somebody really put a lot of effort into putting it together," he said.
Sgt. Peritz said that while the song itself was not a crime, it was the first time a rap song has led to an indictment in Dallas County.
In 2003, a student in Fort Worth was suspended after reciting a rap poem that school officials deemed a "terroristic threat." The case eventually went before a federal judge who said the school district violated the student's constitutional right to due process and reinstated him.
Mr. Coleman said he wrote the song last summer after he and his friend got in an argument and stopped hanging out together. When they returned to school for their junior year, Mr. Coleman said, he heard a rumor that his former friend was claiming to have beaten him up.
He then decided to write the song. "It wasn't even threatening anybody," he said.
Mr. Coleman denied the suggestion by authorities that he is part of a gang. He said his rap group was questioned at school recently by a gang task force after members all wore the same shirt with the group's name to school.
Sheriff's officials said Mesquite police consider him a known gang member.
The rap song is filled with profanity and refers twice to guns. The rapper threatens to put his "knuckles against your brain," "cut out your tongue" and bring people to his house "packing their chrome."
High school students who know both students say the charges are overblown.
"I think it was more of a prank than anything," said Bobby Coleman, a sophomore who is not related to the suspect. "He wants to be a rapper, and it made him pretty big when he made that CD."
Neither Mr. Coleman nor the other student, who both turned 17 in the last few months, have criminal records as adults.
Friends described Mr. Coleman as a straight-A student who played freshman football and performed a rap song at the freshman talent show.
Kayla LaRue said Mr. Coleman made a CD for her son Ryan after he was seriously injured in an automobile crash in 2003.
"It was a positive song," she said. In the song, Mr. Coleman talked about how the two were close and how important her son was to him.
Mr. Coleman was indicted Monday and released from jail after posting a $5,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in a Dallas courtroom April 12, court records show.
Since his arrest, Mr. Coleman has been moved to an alternative school, the Sheriff's Department said.
Mesquite school district officials said they couldn't comment about the incident because of privacy rules.
Laura Jobe, director of communications services, said students who commit such an offense would be placed in the Challenge Program for up to one semester
She said that a Mesquite police officer works full time at every high school campus and that the district has not added any security officers because of the incident.
"Safety is always one of our top concerns," she said. "We feel like we have a very good program in place right now."
Staff writer Karin Shaw Anderson contributed to this report.
------------------------------------
THE SONG
Excerpts from the song:
Go to sleep [name of student]
I'm all guts plus glory.
That's why he must ignore me.
I promise pain ...
my knuckles against your [Expletive].
OK, you made a mistake, you wanna be slithery snake.
I see you everywhere I go, but I can't hit you though.
You will run and tell the folks,
Like you betray me.
I won't shake your hand.
[Expletive] out your [Expletive] where you stand.
This is for you [student] ...
Go to sleep dog.
This is your lullaby.
SOURCE: Dallas County Sheriff's Department
News from the Lone Star State
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County wants jail study blocked
Court asked to order News to stop printing details of report
By REESE DUNKLIN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas County has asked a judge to block The Dallas Morning News from continuing to publish details of a recent study that found sweeping problems at the troubled county jail.
In a petition filed in district court this month against The News and parent company Belo Corp., the county argued that the jail study was confidential and its release unauthorized. The county also said that the document was exempt under the state's Public Information Act.
Further disclosure of the study, the county said, would hurt its defense in a federal lawsuit filed last year by the family of James M. Mims, a mentally ill inmate who nearly died at the county jail after water to his cell was cut off for almost two weeks.
The county had asked a private firm to examine the Mims case as part of a broader, ongoing review of the jail's health-care programs. The firm's study, completed Feb. 1 but not made public by the county, cited several health-care risks, including the lack of inmate screening for tuberculosis.
The News published the findings of the 52-page report Feb. 23 and posted a copy of the study on its Web site.
Ernest Figari Jr., a Dallas lawyer representing the county in the matter, declined to comment Wednesday. In its petition, the county seeks a permanent injunction against The News and wants a judge to order the newspaper to return the study.
Russ Coleman, general counsel of Belo Corp., said The News isn't prevented from reporting on the document simply because the county considers it confidential.
"The report contains critical information for area citizens," Mr. Coleman said. "The report was made under a consulting contract approved by the Commissioners Court and involves a public facility and public health."
The county's action against the newspaper is the latest turn in the crisis at the county jail. Conditions there have come under intense scrutiny after news of Mr. Mims' case and a recent surprise inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which gave the county failing marks. The state found problems with fire safety and health care, as well as staffing shortages.
County commissioners this week finalized the makeup of a committee that will examine solutions for the jail. The panel had a controversial start, as commissioners bickered over who would represent them on it.
The fight escalated when Commissioner John Wiley Price sued some of his colleagues, alleging that they violated the state's Open Meetings Act by privately discussing the committee without him or County Judge Margaret Keliher.
Court asked to order News to stop printing details of report
By REESE DUNKLIN / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas County has asked a judge to block The Dallas Morning News from continuing to publish details of a recent study that found sweeping problems at the troubled county jail.
In a petition filed in district court this month against The News and parent company Belo Corp., the county argued that the jail study was confidential and its release unauthorized. The county also said that the document was exempt under the state's Public Information Act.
Further disclosure of the study, the county said, would hurt its defense in a federal lawsuit filed last year by the family of James M. Mims, a mentally ill inmate who nearly died at the county jail after water to his cell was cut off for almost two weeks.
The county had asked a private firm to examine the Mims case as part of a broader, ongoing review of the jail's health-care programs. The firm's study, completed Feb. 1 but not made public by the county, cited several health-care risks, including the lack of inmate screening for tuberculosis.
The News published the findings of the 52-page report Feb. 23 and posted a copy of the study on its Web site.
Ernest Figari Jr., a Dallas lawyer representing the county in the matter, declined to comment Wednesday. In its petition, the county seeks a permanent injunction against The News and wants a judge to order the newspaper to return the study.
Russ Coleman, general counsel of Belo Corp., said The News isn't prevented from reporting on the document simply because the county considers it confidential.
"The report contains critical information for area citizens," Mr. Coleman said. "The report was made under a consulting contract approved by the Commissioners Court and involves a public facility and public health."
The county's action against the newspaper is the latest turn in the crisis at the county jail. Conditions there have come under intense scrutiny after news of Mr. Mims' case and a recent surprise inspection by the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which gave the county failing marks. The state found problems with fire safety and health care, as well as staffing shortages.
County commissioners this week finalized the makeup of a committee that will examine solutions for the jail. The panel had a controversial start, as commissioners bickered over who would represent them on it.
The fight escalated when Commissioner John Wiley Price sued some of his colleagues, alleging that they violated the state's Open Meetings Act by privately discussing the committee without him or County Judge Margaret Keliher.
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Supervisor testifies at fake drug trial
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas police lieutenant testified in court Thursday that he tried to stop the use of the confidential informant responsible for the fake drug scandal.
Lt. Craig Miller supervised former narcotics detective Mark Delapaz for a short time. Delapaz is on trial for allegedly lying on an arrest affidavit.
Delapaz and his informant—Enrique Alonzo—are being blamed for the wrongful arrest of nearly two dozen innocent civilians back 2001.
Miller said he had no idea when he took over as supervisor that several of the Delapaz and Alonzo arrests involved fake drugs.
"I think if you knew a person was bringing in bad dope and you knew he had one rock—one $10 rock—that would be inappropriate; certainly multiple kilos or any large amount of dope," Miller testified.
If found guilty, Delapaz could serve to up to 10 years in prison.
Testimony at the trial was set to resume Thursday afternoon.
By BRETT SHIPP / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - A Dallas police lieutenant testified in court Thursday that he tried to stop the use of the confidential informant responsible for the fake drug scandal.
Lt. Craig Miller supervised former narcotics detective Mark Delapaz for a short time. Delapaz is on trial for allegedly lying on an arrest affidavit.
Delapaz and his informant—Enrique Alonzo—are being blamed for the wrongful arrest of nearly two dozen innocent civilians back 2001.
Miller said he had no idea when he took over as supervisor that several of the Delapaz and Alonzo arrests involved fake drugs.
"I think if you knew a person was bringing in bad dope and you knew he had one rock—one $10 rock—that would be inappropriate; certainly multiple kilos or any large amount of dope," Miller testified.
If found guilty, Delapaz could serve to up to 10 years in prison.
Testimony at the trial was set to resume Thursday afternoon.
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Texas prankster prompts N.J. standoff
By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas — An Arlington woman was in jail without bond Thursday after police say she made several bogus 911 emergency calls.
Fatin Ward, 23, allegedly made the emergency calls from Arlington using what she thought was an untraceable number to reach police in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Officials say the prank—"bombing—is a popular one that evolved through a national phone chat line.
"'Bombing' means sending the police to somebody's house," said Ward's exasperated mother, who did not wish to be identified. "Everywhere she follows me there's trouble."
Police said Ward pulled the prank by using an Internet service to make the emergency call anonymously. Ward allegedly told police she had been sexually assaulted and was being held hostage in New Brunswick.
"Her purpose for making these 911 calls was to get revenge for people that had made her angry," said Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour.
Ward had met those people on a telephone chat line where callers invented the "bombing" prank.
Her mother said Ward has spent countless time running up the phone bill over the past four years.
Ward was able to watch on national cable news networks as police surrounded the residence in New Jersey.
"And they all were laughing and giggling, and I opened the back door and told her to get out," Ward's mother said.
Part of the prank is to brag about it later. "And that's just simply unacceptable," Gilfour said. "We cannot have people making fake 911 calls to get revenge on somene because that ties up police resources and ties up anyone who really needs emergency assistance from getting that assistance in a timely manner."
Arlington police arrested Ward at her Arlington apartment on Thursday on an unrelated charge, but they say they are working with New Jersey police on the prank call case.
"I don't know if jail would be the right thing for her, but she needs to get some kind of treatment," Ward's mother said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is no way to get revenge at people who make you mad.
By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas — An Arlington woman was in jail without bond Thursday after police say she made several bogus 911 emergency calls.
Fatin Ward, 23, allegedly made the emergency calls from Arlington using what she thought was an untraceable number to reach police in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Officials say the prank—"bombing—is a popular one that evolved through a national phone chat line.
"'Bombing' means sending the police to somebody's house," said Ward's exasperated mother, who did not wish to be identified. "Everywhere she follows me there's trouble."
Police said Ward pulled the prank by using an Internet service to make the emergency call anonymously. Ward allegedly told police she had been sexually assaulted and was being held hostage in New Brunswick.
"Her purpose for making these 911 calls was to get revenge for people that had made her angry," said Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour.
Ward had met those people on a telephone chat line where callers invented the "bombing" prank.
Her mother said Ward has spent countless time running up the phone bill over the past four years.
Ward was able to watch on national cable news networks as police surrounded the residence in New Jersey.
"And they all were laughing and giggling, and I opened the back door and told her to get out," Ward's mother said.
Part of the prank is to brag about it later. "And that's just simply unacceptable," Gilfour said. "We cannot have people making fake 911 calls to get revenge on somene because that ties up police resources and ties up anyone who really needs emergency assistance from getting that assistance in a timely manner."
Arlington police arrested Ward at her Arlington apartment on Thursday on an unrelated charge, but they say they are working with New Jersey police on the prank call case.
"I don't know if jail would be the right thing for her, but she needs to get some kind of treatment," Ward's mother said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is no way to get revenge at people who make you mad.
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Neighbors pay tribute to victim of violence
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Neighbors held a vigil Thursday night for a Farmers Branch woman who was beaten to death with a baseball bat by her husband.
Misty Davila was removed from life support systems at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Her husband, Robert, committed suicide a short time after the attack late Wednesday night following a chase with police.
"It's hard to believe something like this would happen to a nice lady," said Kenneth McCoy, one of many distraught neighbors who lit candles, sang and prayed in front of the Davila home.
Farmers Branch police said Misty Davila, 33, was attacked by while protecting her five children from their father.
"We know that he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife where he had assaulted her with some type of baseball bat," said Farmers Branch police spokesman Lt. Mark Scoggins.
Police attempted to stop Robert Davila after spotting his pickup truck on Interstate 35E near Valley View Lane. The man sped away and led police on a brief chase.
Davila suddenly stopped his truck on an exit ramp, jumped out and committed suicide by jumping over the guardrail into the westbound lanes of LBJ Freeway.
"It's just a horrible thing," said Michelle Fritcher, a friend of Misty Davila. "This was such a blessed family, and Misty was such a loving mom that was always there for her kids."
Investigators said the victim's 12-yr-old daughter witnessed the attack as Misty Davila tried to stop her husband from driving away with their children.
Several friends and neighbors said there was a long history of domestic violence at the Davila home, but they said through it all Misty had an open door policy.
"She was like a mom to everybody," said Meagan Loveday. "[If] you had a problem, you could go to her and she'd help you out through anything."
"Everybody was just welcome," Kristin Gabel agreed. "She was just the sweetest lady."
The Davilas' four children were placed in the care of family members.
WFAA-TV reporter Chris Heinbaugh contributed to this report.
By BERT LOZANO / WFAA ABC 8
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas — Neighbors held a vigil Thursday night for a Farmers Branch woman who was beaten to death with a baseball bat by her husband.
Misty Davila was removed from life support systems at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas around 7 p.m. Thursday.
Her husband, Robert, committed suicide a short time after the attack late Wednesday night following a chase with police.
"It's hard to believe something like this would happen to a nice lady," said Kenneth McCoy, one of many distraught neighbors who lit candles, sang and prayed in front of the Davila home.
Farmers Branch police said Misty Davila, 33, was attacked by while protecting her five children from their father.
"We know that he was involved in a domestic dispute with his wife where he had assaulted her with some type of baseball bat," said Farmers Branch police spokesman Lt. Mark Scoggins.
Police attempted to stop Robert Davila after spotting his pickup truck on Interstate 35E near Valley View Lane. The man sped away and led police on a brief chase.
Davila suddenly stopped his truck on an exit ramp, jumped out and committed suicide by jumping over the guardrail into the westbound lanes of LBJ Freeway.
"It's just a horrible thing," said Michelle Fritcher, a friend of Misty Davila. "This was such a blessed family, and Misty was such a loving mom that was always there for her kids."
Investigators said the victim's 12-yr-old daughter witnessed the attack as Misty Davila tried to stop her husband from driving away with their children.
Several friends and neighbors said there was a long history of domestic violence at the Davila home, but they said through it all Misty had an open door policy.
"She was like a mom to everybody," said Meagan Loveday. "[If] you had a problem, you could go to her and she'd help you out through anything."
"Everybody was just welcome," Kristin Gabel agreed. "She was just the sweetest lady."
The Davilas' four children were placed in the care of family members.
WFAA-TV reporter Chris Heinbaugh contributed to this report.
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South Dallas body may be missing teen
By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8
Dallas police said a body discovered late Thursday afternoon in South Dallas may be 14-year-old Kendrick Hardy. Hardy's family said he was abducted at gunpoint Monday on a South Dallas street.
The victim had been shot several times.
"About 1:45 today, a witness who wishes to remain anonymous called our youth detectives," said Dallas Police Cpl. Donna Hernandez. "Something about that call led detectives to believe they needed to search this area."
Police said they found the body of a teenage boy. It will be Friday before the body is positively identified.
Family members told News 8 the victim's clothing matched what Kendrick had been wearing when he disappeared.
The teen was reported abducted at gunpoint sometime Monday by suspects in a silver Mercedes.
The body discovered by Dallas police was found about a half mile from the kidnap location.
Dallas police gang squad members could be seen canvassing the area where the body was found.
"It's becoming more common practice for the gang unit to come out on these kind of events to see if there is anything related," Hernandez said.
About a dozen family members rushed to the scene. Some were handing out flyers with Kendrick's picture, hoping someone in the neighborhood may have spotted him.
"He's a good young man," said Lycena Williams, the missing teen's cousin. "All I know is that we are looking for him, and want him to come home."
Kendrick's family said his sister is also missing. Alexis Hardy, 13, has not been heard from in more than two weeks. Dallas police said they are investigating that report.
By DAN RONAN / WFAA ABC 8
Dallas police said a body discovered late Thursday afternoon in South Dallas may be 14-year-old Kendrick Hardy. Hardy's family said he was abducted at gunpoint Monday on a South Dallas street.
The victim had been shot several times.
"About 1:45 today, a witness who wishes to remain anonymous called our youth detectives," said Dallas Police Cpl. Donna Hernandez. "Something about that call led detectives to believe they needed to search this area."
Police said they found the body of a teenage boy. It will be Friday before the body is positively identified.
Family members told News 8 the victim's clothing matched what Kendrick had been wearing when he disappeared.
The teen was reported abducted at gunpoint sometime Monday by suspects in a silver Mercedes.
The body discovered by Dallas police was found about a half mile from the kidnap location.
Dallas police gang squad members could be seen canvassing the area where the body was found.
"It's becoming more common practice for the gang unit to come out on these kind of events to see if there is anything related," Hernandez said.
About a dozen family members rushed to the scene. Some were handing out flyers with Kendrick's picture, hoping someone in the neighborhood may have spotted him.
"He's a good young man," said Lycena Williams, the missing teen's cousin. "All I know is that we are looking for him, and want him to come home."
Kendrick's family said his sister is also missing. Alexis Hardy, 13, has not been heard from in more than two weeks. Dallas police said they are investigating that report.
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Easter bunny surplus at Humane Society
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas — Things are hopping at the Humane Society of North Texas this Easter weekend.
That's because the agency is dealing with 74 rabbits—of various varieties—that were rescued from the home of a Fort Worth woman after the pets did what bunnies do best.
"She had food out for everyone and she had water, so she wasn't neglecting them—it was just overwhelming," said Tory McCarty, an investigator for the Humane Society.
The rabbit count doesn't stop at 74. There are more on the way.
The owner gave up the animals voluntarily. Most were found to be in good shape, although a few didn't make it.
Many have injuries like bites and scabs that need a veterinarian's care.
Humane society workers like Heather Bern say the timing couldn't be worse. "At this time, we see an influx of rabbits that we see from last season's Easter holiday."
To avoid any Easter impulse buys, the Humane Society has decided they probably not going to let any of these little bunnies go by Sunday.
But because there are so many, the agency wants to find adoptive homes soon for dozens of bunnies so that this Easter won't be their last.
The Humane Society of North Texas will be open all weekend, including Easter Sunday.
By JANET ST. JAMES / WFAA ABC 8
FORT WORTH, Texas — Things are hopping at the Humane Society of North Texas this Easter weekend.
That's because the agency is dealing with 74 rabbits—of various varieties—that were rescued from the home of a Fort Worth woman after the pets did what bunnies do best.
"She had food out for everyone and she had water, so she wasn't neglecting them—it was just overwhelming," said Tory McCarty, an investigator for the Humane Society.
The rabbit count doesn't stop at 74. There are more on the way.
The owner gave up the animals voluntarily. Most were found to be in good shape, although a few didn't make it.
Many have injuries like bites and scabs that need a veterinarian's care.
Humane society workers like Heather Bern say the timing couldn't be worse. "At this time, we see an influx of rabbits that we see from last season's Easter holiday."
To avoid any Easter impulse buys, the Humane Society has decided they probably not going to let any of these little bunnies go by Sunday.
But because there are so many, the agency wants to find adoptive homes soon for dozens of bunnies so that this Easter won't be their last.
The Humane Society of North Texas will be open all weekend, including Easter Sunday.
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Police kill 1 in fray
Authorities say man had fired on bike officer trying to confiscate pot
By TANYA EISERER and KATIE MENZER / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas police shot and killed a 19-year-old Marine Corps deserter Friday afternoon after he shot a bicycle officer in the arm during a scuffle over a marijuana cigarette, authorities said.
Senior Cpl. Jimmie W. Beard, a 28-year veteran, was released from Baylor University Medical Center late Friday. Doctors removed a bullet from under his left arm without performing surgery, police said.
"They just reached in there and grabbed it," said Lt. Jan Easterling, a police spokeswoman.
The suspect, Neiman Gibson, died at the scene. Mr. Gibson deserted in late November, and a desertion warrant was filed the next month, police said. He also had local misdemeanor warrants. A neighbor said Mr. Gibson was a Forney High School graduate and visiting his mother for the Easter holiday.
Senior Cpl. John Roberts, a 25-year veteran who shot the man, was placed on routine administrative leave as police officials investigate.
Police also were searching for a second man who fled after the shooting at the August Park apartments in the 2800 block of North St. Augustine Road in Pleasant Grove.
The shooting came Friday just as police started bicycle patrols following complaints about drug use in the area, police said.
"Some of our officers were telling us that things were starting to pick up around here," said Lt. Rick Andrews, a southeast patrol commander. "Rather than letting it get out of hand, we thought we'd put some officers out there to do some preventive patrol."
Shortly after 1 p.m., three bike-patrol officers smelled marijuana and began talking to two men at the well-maintained complex, police said.
"One guy had a joint in his hand," said Lt. Andrews. "He balled up his fist and refused to drop it."
A scuffle ensued, and officers tried to use pepper spray on the man, but he pulled a small handgun and shot the officer, Lt. Andrews said.
Cpl. Roberts fatally shot Mr. Gibson after the suspect pointed the pistol at him, police said.
Ivan Hernandez, an 18-year-old high school student, was walking home after a trip to the store to buy a drink with his friends when he saw men running through the complex. He said he ducked to the ground when he heard gunshots.
"Something is always happening over here," he said, standing outside the complex. "Gunshots, everything."
This year 55 police calls, including one strong-arm robbery, have been recorded at 2808 N. St. Augustine. In contrast, a nearby apartment complex recorded 192 calls ranging from evading arrest to aggravated assaults and burglaries during the same period.
Elizabeth Hafertepe, 17, who lives near the complex, said the area is riddled with crime, although she does not blame the police.
"There's nothing they can do about this area. It's corrupt," she said, standing across the street from the complex as police officers swarmed the crime scene Friday afternoon.
But Paul Moore, who has lived in the complex for three years, said the apartments are safe, although some vehicles have been burglarized. "It's quiet over here," he said. "The police seldom ride through here."
Lt. Andrews said police would continue bike patrols in the area.
For Cpl. Beard, policing is a family tradition. His father is a retired Dallas officer. He's married and has two children. "He's just a very likable, energetic, engaged and professional police officer," said Assistant Chief Ron Waldrop.
Kristina Gatlin, a neighbor of Mr. Gibson's mother, said he graduated from Forney High School last year and had a younger brother. Ms. Gatlin said the man was always courteous and liked to play basketball with one of her sons. She did not know he was involved in drugs.
"He was a nice kid," Ms. Gatlin said. His mother "told me he was never any trouble. I never would have thought this from Neiman, never."
A man who answered the phone at the home of Mr. Gibson's mother declined to comment.
Staff writer Christy A. Robinson contributed to this report.
Authorities say man had fired on bike officer trying to confiscate pot
By TANYA EISERER and KATIE MENZER / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Dallas police shot and killed a 19-year-old Marine Corps deserter Friday afternoon after he shot a bicycle officer in the arm during a scuffle over a marijuana cigarette, authorities said.
Senior Cpl. Jimmie W. Beard, a 28-year veteran, was released from Baylor University Medical Center late Friday. Doctors removed a bullet from under his left arm without performing surgery, police said.
"They just reached in there and grabbed it," said Lt. Jan Easterling, a police spokeswoman.
The suspect, Neiman Gibson, died at the scene. Mr. Gibson deserted in late November, and a desertion warrant was filed the next month, police said. He also had local misdemeanor warrants. A neighbor said Mr. Gibson was a Forney High School graduate and visiting his mother for the Easter holiday.
Senior Cpl. John Roberts, a 25-year veteran who shot the man, was placed on routine administrative leave as police officials investigate.
Police also were searching for a second man who fled after the shooting at the August Park apartments in the 2800 block of North St. Augustine Road in Pleasant Grove.
The shooting came Friday just as police started bicycle patrols following complaints about drug use in the area, police said.
"Some of our officers were telling us that things were starting to pick up around here," said Lt. Rick Andrews, a southeast patrol commander. "Rather than letting it get out of hand, we thought we'd put some officers out there to do some preventive patrol."
Shortly after 1 p.m., three bike-patrol officers smelled marijuana and began talking to two men at the well-maintained complex, police said.
"One guy had a joint in his hand," said Lt. Andrews. "He balled up his fist and refused to drop it."
A scuffle ensued, and officers tried to use pepper spray on the man, but he pulled a small handgun and shot the officer, Lt. Andrews said.
Cpl. Roberts fatally shot Mr. Gibson after the suspect pointed the pistol at him, police said.
Ivan Hernandez, an 18-year-old high school student, was walking home after a trip to the store to buy a drink with his friends when he saw men running through the complex. He said he ducked to the ground when he heard gunshots.
"Something is always happening over here," he said, standing outside the complex. "Gunshots, everything."
This year 55 police calls, including one strong-arm robbery, have been recorded at 2808 N. St. Augustine. In contrast, a nearby apartment complex recorded 192 calls ranging from evading arrest to aggravated assaults and burglaries during the same period.
Elizabeth Hafertepe, 17, who lives near the complex, said the area is riddled with crime, although she does not blame the police.
"There's nothing they can do about this area. It's corrupt," she said, standing across the street from the complex as police officers swarmed the crime scene Friday afternoon.
But Paul Moore, who has lived in the complex for three years, said the apartments are safe, although some vehicles have been burglarized. "It's quiet over here," he said. "The police seldom ride through here."
Lt. Andrews said police would continue bike patrols in the area.
For Cpl. Beard, policing is a family tradition. His father is a retired Dallas officer. He's married and has two children. "He's just a very likable, energetic, engaged and professional police officer," said Assistant Chief Ron Waldrop.
Kristina Gatlin, a neighbor of Mr. Gibson's mother, said he graduated from Forney High School last year and had a younger brother. Ms. Gatlin said the man was always courteous and liked to play basketball with one of her sons. She did not know he was involved in drugs.
"He was a nice kid," Ms. Gatlin said. His mother "told me he was never any trouble. I never would have thought this from Neiman, never."
A man who answered the phone at the home of Mr. Gibson's mother declined to comment.
Staff writer Christy A. Robinson contributed to this report.
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TexasStooge
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Fire destroys 8 units of apartment complex
LAKE HIGHLANDS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A fire gutted eight units of a Lake Highlands apartment complex on Friday, fire officials said.
No one was injured in the blaze, which displaced eight families.
The fire began about 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Terrace Apartments in the 9100 block of Forest Lane. A woman in the apartment where the fire started called 911. The fire quickly spread to seven other apartments before it was put out about an hour later.
A fire gutted eight units of a Lake Highlands apartment complex on Friday, fire officials said.
No one was injured in the blaze, which displaced eight families.
The fire began about 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Terrace Apartments in the 9100 block of Forest Lane. A woman in the apartment where the fire started called 911. The fire quickly spread to seven other apartments before it was put out about an hour later.
Damage to the complex was estimated at $130,000, according to fire officials, who said they believe an electrical problem started the fire.
"Every Good Friday isn't good for everybody," said Lt. Joel Lavender, a spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Dalanda Thompson, who has lived in the complex for about five years, said she was at work in Arlington when the fire broke out. She said firefighters rescued her small dog.
"I'm just extremely shocked," said Mrs. Thompson, 42, who said she does not have insurance. "I've never experienced anything like this, but everything will be OK."
The apartment complex management gave Mrs. Thompson and other residents other apartments.
LAKE HIGHLANDS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A fire gutted eight units of a Lake Highlands apartment complex on Friday, fire officials said.
No one was injured in the blaze, which displaced eight families.
The fire began about 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Terrace Apartments in the 9100 block of Forest Lane. A woman in the apartment where the fire started called 911. The fire quickly spread to seven other apartments before it was put out about an hour later.
A fire gutted eight units of a Lake Highlands apartment complex on Friday, fire officials said.
No one was injured in the blaze, which displaced eight families.
The fire began about 5:30 p.m. at the Sunset Terrace Apartments in the 9100 block of Forest Lane. A woman in the apartment where the fire started called 911. The fire quickly spread to seven other apartments before it was put out about an hour later.
Damage to the complex was estimated at $130,000, according to fire officials, who said they believe an electrical problem started the fire.
"Every Good Friday isn't good for everybody," said Lt. Joel Lavender, a spokesman for Dallas Fire-Rescue.
Dalanda Thompson, who has lived in the complex for about five years, said she was at work in Arlington when the fire broke out. She said firefighters rescued her small dog.
"I'm just extremely shocked," said Mrs. Thompson, 42, who said she does not have insurance. "I've never experienced anything like this, but everything will be OK."
The apartment complex management gave Mrs. Thompson and other residents other apartments.
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TexasStooge
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Chemical leak may be at fault in explosion
Official: Location of office trailer at refinery also an important issue
TEXAS CITY, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/New York Times/AP) – The refinery explosion that killed 15 people and injured 100 more this week was probably caused by a leak of two flammable chemicals that are reworked into gasoline ingredients, a federal chemical-safety official said Friday.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the leak, along with why the resulting explosion carried such an unusually high death toll.
The federal official, John Bresland, a member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, said another important issue was why a temporary office trailer, in which several people died, had been so close and whether brick structures should have been used instead. Mr. Bresland estimated that the trailer was 50 yards from the blast site.
He spoke shortly after investigators got a short initial tour in which they were not allowed to get out of their car, "which was fine with me, for safety reasons." Workers are still trying to remove dangling steel beams and other safety hazards.
Office trailers at the BP refinery are used for safety briefings, meetings and consultation among supervisors on the 12-hour shifts, according to people familiar with the refinery. Bill Stephens, a spokesman for BP, said that the decision on where to place such trailers "would be a big part of the investigation."
Terry Bryant, a Houston lawyer representing several of the injured, said that that decision on the trailers could also figure into determining how responsibility for the deaths is apportioned.
"Given the history of the plant, it would be a good idea to put it as far away from the explosives as they could," he said.
BP said Friday that it was assembling a team of investigators made up of senior personnel gathered mostly from other refineries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, an advisory agency chartered by the federal government, were also investigating. The investigation could take as long as a year, Mr. Bresland said.
BP also acknowledged Friday that a small fire broke out on a furnace line the day before the deadly blast. Mr. Stephens said that a ¾-inch bleeder valve on a furnace line caught fire at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday and was extinguished by a worker within seconds.
Wednesday's blast occurred about 1:20 p.m. in the same unit – a part of the plant that boosts the octane level of gasoline – as a portion of it was brought up to full speed. The unit had been shut down for two weeks for routine maintenance.
The valve that caught fire was on a line that was missing a drain plug, and the plug was replaced, Mr. Stephens said. Bleeder valves are placed on lines in low spots where water could collect and create steam in the line, slowing production, he said.
Mr. Stephens said it was unclear if the small fire had anything to do with the explosion.
The explosion took place in a part of the refinery that was in the late stages of a three-week shutdown for maintenance and refurbishment, its first in approximately two years. Experts say refineries are safer when they are running than when they are shut down or just starting up.
Some parts of refineries may run nonstop for three to five years, refinery experts say, and when they shut down, lots of workers are brought in for intensive servicing.
About 1,100 employees and 2,200 contract workers were on site when the explosion occurred at the 1,200-acre plant.
Eleven of the workers killed were contractors for J.E. Merit Constructors Inc., a subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Fluor Corp. said it lost three employees. Both companies are based in California. It was not clear who employed the other worker.
Allan Jamail, an official with Pipefitters Union Local 211 in Houston, said that nonunion labor may have been a problem. Mr. Jamail said that refineries across Texas had become more dangerous as companies increasingly turned to nonunion contractors for difficult construction and maintenance work.
He said nonunion workers "aren't as well-trained" and did not have the job security needed to raise concerns about the pace and quality of work.BP officials denied that using contractors might hurt safety.
The rest of the refinery was running normally Friday with only essential employees. Mr. Stephens said contract workers would return Monday.
The New York Times and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Official: Location of office trailer at refinery also an important issue
TEXAS CITY, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/New York Times/AP) – The refinery explosion that killed 15 people and injured 100 more this week was probably caused by a leak of two flammable chemicals that are reworked into gasoline ingredients, a federal chemical-safety official said Friday.
Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the leak, along with why the resulting explosion carried such an unusually high death toll.
The federal official, John Bresland, a member of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, said another important issue was why a temporary office trailer, in which several people died, had been so close and whether brick structures should have been used instead. Mr. Bresland estimated that the trailer was 50 yards from the blast site.
He spoke shortly after investigators got a short initial tour in which they were not allowed to get out of their car, "which was fine with me, for safety reasons." Workers are still trying to remove dangling steel beams and other safety hazards.
Office trailers at the BP refinery are used for safety briefings, meetings and consultation among supervisors on the 12-hour shifts, according to people familiar with the refinery. Bill Stephens, a spokesman for BP, said that the decision on where to place such trailers "would be a big part of the investigation."
Terry Bryant, a Houston lawyer representing several of the injured, said that that decision on the trailers could also figure into determining how responsibility for the deaths is apportioned.
"Given the history of the plant, it would be a good idea to put it as far away from the explosives as they could," he said.
BP said Friday that it was assembling a team of investigators made up of senior personnel gathered mostly from other refineries. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, an advisory agency chartered by the federal government, were also investigating. The investigation could take as long as a year, Mr. Bresland said.
BP also acknowledged Friday that a small fire broke out on a furnace line the day before the deadly blast. Mr. Stephens said that a ¾-inch bleeder valve on a furnace line caught fire at 2:45 p.m. Tuesday and was extinguished by a worker within seconds.
Wednesday's blast occurred about 1:20 p.m. in the same unit – a part of the plant that boosts the octane level of gasoline – as a portion of it was brought up to full speed. The unit had been shut down for two weeks for routine maintenance.
The valve that caught fire was on a line that was missing a drain plug, and the plug was replaced, Mr. Stephens said. Bleeder valves are placed on lines in low spots where water could collect and create steam in the line, slowing production, he said.
Mr. Stephens said it was unclear if the small fire had anything to do with the explosion.
The explosion took place in a part of the refinery that was in the late stages of a three-week shutdown for maintenance and refurbishment, its first in approximately two years. Experts say refineries are safer when they are running than when they are shut down or just starting up.
Some parts of refineries may run nonstop for three to five years, refinery experts say, and when they shut down, lots of workers are brought in for intensive servicing.
About 1,100 employees and 2,200 contract workers were on site when the explosion occurred at the 1,200-acre plant.
Eleven of the workers killed were contractors for J.E. Merit Constructors Inc., a subsidiary of Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. Fluor Corp. said it lost three employees. Both companies are based in California. It was not clear who employed the other worker.
Allan Jamail, an official with Pipefitters Union Local 211 in Houston, said that nonunion labor may have been a problem. Mr. Jamail said that refineries across Texas had become more dangerous as companies increasingly turned to nonunion contractors for difficult construction and maintenance work.
He said nonunion workers "aren't as well-trained" and did not have the job security needed to raise concerns about the pace and quality of work.BP officials denied that using contractors might hurt safety.
The rest of the refinery was running normally Friday with only essential employees. Mr. Stephens said contract workers would return Monday.
The New York Times and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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TexasStooge
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Workers hurt in collapse at TI plant
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
RICHARDSON, Texas — Five workers were hurt Friday morning when scaffolding collapsed at the new Texas Instruments wafer fabrication plant.
The men were pouring concrete on the second floor of the administration building at the $3 billion facility at 300 West Renner Road when their wooden platform crashed down on a pile of twisted steel reinforcement rods.
"They pretty much rode the structure down," said Richardson Fire Department Interim Chief Alan Palomba. "The actual drop was probably 15 feet."
One of the workers was able to walk away from the wreckage quickly, but four others were left stranded.
Firefighters used aerial ladders to rescue two of the men; the remaining two walked out with the help of emergency workers.
"Their injuries are minor from what we know; we believe maybe just a broken bone or two," said TI spokeswoman Kim Quirk. "Everybody is fine and alert and seems to be doing okay."
All five men were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Four went by ambulance; the other victim, believed to have the most serious injury with a broken leg, was transported by a medical helicopter.
Chief Palomba said the workers were very lucky because they were on top of the platform. Had they been underneath, he said the outcome would have been very different.
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
RICHARDSON, Texas — Five workers were hurt Friday morning when scaffolding collapsed at the new Texas Instruments wafer fabrication plant.
The men were pouring concrete on the second floor of the administration building at the $3 billion facility at 300 West Renner Road when their wooden platform crashed down on a pile of twisted steel reinforcement rods.
"They pretty much rode the structure down," said Richardson Fire Department Interim Chief Alan Palomba. "The actual drop was probably 15 feet."
One of the workers was able to walk away from the wreckage quickly, but four others were left stranded.
Firefighters used aerial ladders to rescue two of the men; the remaining two walked out with the help of emergency workers.
"Their injuries are minor from what we know; we believe maybe just a broken bone or two," said TI spokeswoman Kim Quirk. "Everybody is fine and alert and seems to be doing okay."
All five men were taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. Four went by ambulance; the other victim, believed to have the most serious injury with a broken leg, was transported by a medical helicopter.
Chief Palomba said the workers were very lucky because they were on top of the platform. Had they been underneath, he said the outcome would have been very different.
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TexasStooge
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At Alamo, more Texas history
Library gets rare copy of state's Declaration of Independence
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) – One of 13 copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence believed to have survived since 1836 has been donated to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo.
Locked for years in a safe deposit box, the valuable and rarely seen piece of Texas' early days was donated by descendants of Samuel Augustus Maverick, a politician, land baron and city leader.
Last year, Sotheby's auctioned off a similar copy to an anonymous bidder for $764,000.
Papers donated by Maverick's family – including the declaration – will be made available for study and occasionally put on public display, officials said.
"As a student of history, I've never seen a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence," said Felix Almaraz Jr., a history professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "To have one here in a repository is very important."
In a short ceremony at the library Thursday, members of the Maverick family gathered to present the papers officially. Laura Maverick Meadows Partain, a triple great-granddaughter of Samuel Maverick, said even her own family rarely got to see the large, one-page document because of its fragility.
She said she decided to donate the papers, instead of selling them, because she wanted them to be available to the public.
"This is the place where these wonderful things need to rest," she said, as two more generations of her family looked on. "A very important piece of Texas history has come back to the Alamo."
Maverick, one of two Washington-on-the-Brazos delegates to the convention that adopted the declaration, later served as mayor of San Antonio, chief justice of Bexar County and a state legislator. His practice of allowing herds of cattle to wander freely led to the coining of the term "maverick."
Library gets rare copy of state's Declaration of Independence
SAN ANTONIO, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) – One of 13 copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence believed to have survived since 1836 has been donated to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library at the Alamo.
Locked for years in a safe deposit box, the valuable and rarely seen piece of Texas' early days was donated by descendants of Samuel Augustus Maverick, a politician, land baron and city leader.
Last year, Sotheby's auctioned off a similar copy to an anonymous bidder for $764,000.
Papers donated by Maverick's family – including the declaration – will be made available for study and occasionally put on public display, officials said.
"As a student of history, I've never seen a copy of the Texas Declaration of Independence," said Felix Almaraz Jr., a history professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "To have one here in a repository is very important."
In a short ceremony at the library Thursday, members of the Maverick family gathered to present the papers officially. Laura Maverick Meadows Partain, a triple great-granddaughter of Samuel Maverick, said even her own family rarely got to see the large, one-page document because of its fragility.
She said she decided to donate the papers, instead of selling them, because she wanted them to be available to the public.
"This is the place where these wonderful things need to rest," she said, as two more generations of her family looked on. "A very important piece of Texas history has come back to the Alamo."
Maverick, one of two Washington-on-the-Brazos delegates to the convention that adopted the declaration, later served as mayor of San Antonio, chief justice of Bexar County and a state legislator. His practice of allowing herds of cattle to wander freely led to the coining of the term "maverick."
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TexasStooge
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Hazing allegations put team to shame
S. Texas prep players charged in sexual assaults on freshmen
By TRACEY EATON / The Dallas Morning News
DONNA, Texas – Back when men wore crew cuts and the Twist was the latest dance craze, an unheralded high school football team won the state championship, putting this small, struggling South Texas town on the map.
More than four decades later, the Donna Redskins have again drawn the spotlight, but this time, townspeople are shaken and embarrassed.
Three varsity players have been arrested, accused of pinning down freshmen players in the locker room and sexually assaulting them. The athletic director/coach and two other coaches have been fired.
Since then, seven more players have come forward to say they were victims of sexual hazing involving the football, baseball and basketball teams. All were 14 or 15 years old at the time of the incidents, school officials say. As yet, no charges have been filed, and police decline to comment.
And the incident here is indicative of a disturbing national trend, experts say.
"The whole trend of sexual hazing is kind of disturbing," said Indianapolis researcher Hank Nuwer, author of High School Hazing: When Rites Become Wrongs. "And no doubt about it, the violence is increasing."
In the August and September incidents, police charged Derick Castillo, 18, the Donna Redskins' star quarterback, and two other players, Raynardo Magallanes, 18, and Jason Leal, 17, with third-degree felony sexual assault, municipal court complaints show. The two older players were arrested, and the younger student was released to his parents.
The father of one of the boys played down the accusation and said his son did not want to talk about it. The other two students could not be reached for comment.
"When I heard some of the things they were doing, I felt it crossed the line and immediately called for a police investigation," Donna School Superintendent Joe Gonzalez said.
As the investigation continues, this proud South Texas town of 15,000 is struggling to sort out what happened and how deep the problem goes.
"This thing shook up Donna because we're crazy about football," said Paul Ortiz, Mr. Castillo's cousin. "Football is huge here."
Traditionally, residents have rallied around the Donna Redskins, the 1961 state champs whose colors are proudly splashed across the water towers at both ends of town.
But some say now that no matter how much they love their team, they won't tolerate players who assault their teammates.
"What they committed has nothing to do with hazing or initiation. What they did was a crime," said Fernando Castillo, a former Redskin player and now principal of the 1,853-student school.
Across town, Mr. Magallanes' father sharply disagrees, saying that what went on in the locker room was harmless fun.
"It was just horseplay," said Ricardo Tovar, adding that the episode has been blown out of proportion. "Half the story's not even true. People here are lying."
"It wasn't really hazing," added Ray Ortega, 17, a senior who expects to play center on the team this fall. "It was more like wrestling."
Hazed become 'hazers'
Whatever it's called, some experts say, sexual violence and bullying seem to be rising in high schools across America.
Texas and 43 other states have laws against hazing, "but you don't see the numbers going down," Mr. Nuwer said. "There's more reporting of these incidents now than ever."
Mr. Nuwer keeps a nationwide database of hazing cases dating to 1905, when Ohio students put snow down the back of classmate William Taylor, 13, who died of pneumonia not long afterward.
More recent hazing tactics include forcing students to run around naked with crackers between their cheeks; play Twister in the nude; or sit naked on blocks of ice.In 2001, football players in Tulsa allegedly beat a 14-year-old's genitals with traffic cones, then sodomized him with a broom handle.
"The hazers tend to be those students who were hazed the year before," said Norman Pollard, who led a landmark Alfred University study that found that about 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year.
"In order to give significance to their experience, they ratchet it up a notch, making it more difficult, humiliating and violent than the year before. After a few years, it escalates to the point where it can no longer be kept secret," said Mr. Pollard, the university's director of counseling and student development.
School investigation
In Donna, no one knows how long students managed to keep their alleged rites under wraps.
The Donna High investigation began in February after a teacher overheard ninth-graders talking about the football team's supposed initiation rites and reported it.
On Feb. 23, three students were charged with third-degree felony sexual assault in connection with reported assaults on two students in the Donna locker room, municipal court complaints show.
Authorities allege that the three attacked students with latex-covered fingers, waved their genitals and pinned down at least one victim and slapped around his private parts.
Mr. Gonzalez said that say if any hazing was going on at the 1,853-student school before last summer, he didn't know about it.
He also defended the reputation of the Redskins team, which has made the district playoffs 23 times.
"This is an isolated situation," he said. "This is not a reflection of our athletics program. This is a group of kids who made a wrong decision, and now they'll have to pay the consequences."
3 coaches fired
Others are paying a price, too.
On March 10, the Donna Independent School District Board fired David Evans, the high school's athletic director and football coach; Alfredo Holguin, assistant football coach; and Robert Gracia, the freshman football coach.
Their lawyers have ordered all three to keep quiet.
"I can't talk to any media regardless of anything," one said by phone before hanging up.
Mr. Evans, his supporters say, didn't know what was going on and shouldn't be blamed. Nor should he have been expected to constantly watch the locker room, lest parents accuse him of being a pervert, they say.
But school board members, including some of the coach's close friends, removed him anyway.
"There's an accountability level for everybody," board member Luie Solis explained.
"The vast majority of the community" favored the firings, school board president Matthew Jones added.
Mr. Jones played football for Donna High in the 1980s and said he's convinced that what went on in the locker room was "not everyday rough-housing."
"Some people are indifferent, but once they hear the facts, they realize this wasn't just horseplay," he said. "It's terrible the things that allegedly went on."
Back in 1961
Players from Donna High's 1961 championship team say the whole affair is embarrassing.
"We didn't have time for hazing," said Alfredo Avila, 61, a former running back who lives in San Antonio.
Their coach, Earl Scott, was famous for subjecting players to grueling workouts. "The coach worked us to death. He wouldn't even give us water."
"We started with 50 kids and ended up with 18 or 19," said Luz Pedraza, the 1961 team's former quarterback. "The guys that quit couldn't take the workouts."
Today, some young people don't understand the value of hard work, he said. "They want everything handed to them on a platter."
Perhaps some of that old sense of pride is missing, said Jorge Iber, a Texas Tech University history professor who has written about the 1961 team.
"The majority of players on the 1961 team were Mexican-Americans," he said. "They had a tremendous pride in their abilities to compete against anyone and beat anyone. Maybe we've lost some of that."
Donna coaches say whatever may have happened, the entire team shouldn't be blamed.
"These kids outwork anybody that I've ever been associated with," said Mike Burget, first assistant offensive coordinator for the varsity team. "We've got a lot of great kids. And there are a lot of positive things that get overlooked."
Donna athletes just won their sixth straight regional power-lifting meet, for instance, but few people are paying attention to that right now, he said.
"It's a hard time for the coaches and the kids," he said. "We're trying to get back on track."
But players say it isn't easy.
"Everywhere you go, the public looks at you weird," said Mr. Ortega, the football team's center. "The city of Donna should be supporting the football players, not putting us down."
S. Texas prep players charged in sexual assaults on freshmen
By TRACEY EATON / The Dallas Morning News
DONNA, Texas – Back when men wore crew cuts and the Twist was the latest dance craze, an unheralded high school football team won the state championship, putting this small, struggling South Texas town on the map.
More than four decades later, the Donna Redskins have again drawn the spotlight, but this time, townspeople are shaken and embarrassed.
Three varsity players have been arrested, accused of pinning down freshmen players in the locker room and sexually assaulting them. The athletic director/coach and two other coaches have been fired.
Since then, seven more players have come forward to say they were victims of sexual hazing involving the football, baseball and basketball teams. All were 14 or 15 years old at the time of the incidents, school officials say. As yet, no charges have been filed, and police decline to comment.
And the incident here is indicative of a disturbing national trend, experts say.
"The whole trend of sexual hazing is kind of disturbing," said Indianapolis researcher Hank Nuwer, author of High School Hazing: When Rites Become Wrongs. "And no doubt about it, the violence is increasing."
In the August and September incidents, police charged Derick Castillo, 18, the Donna Redskins' star quarterback, and two other players, Raynardo Magallanes, 18, and Jason Leal, 17, with third-degree felony sexual assault, municipal court complaints show. The two older players were arrested, and the younger student was released to his parents.
The father of one of the boys played down the accusation and said his son did not want to talk about it. The other two students could not be reached for comment.
"When I heard some of the things they were doing, I felt it crossed the line and immediately called for a police investigation," Donna School Superintendent Joe Gonzalez said.
As the investigation continues, this proud South Texas town of 15,000 is struggling to sort out what happened and how deep the problem goes.
"This thing shook up Donna because we're crazy about football," said Paul Ortiz, Mr. Castillo's cousin. "Football is huge here."
Traditionally, residents have rallied around the Donna Redskins, the 1961 state champs whose colors are proudly splashed across the water towers at both ends of town.
But some say now that no matter how much they love their team, they won't tolerate players who assault their teammates.
"What they committed has nothing to do with hazing or initiation. What they did was a crime," said Fernando Castillo, a former Redskin player and now principal of the 1,853-student school.
Across town, Mr. Magallanes' father sharply disagrees, saying that what went on in the locker room was harmless fun.
"It was just horseplay," said Ricardo Tovar, adding that the episode has been blown out of proportion. "Half the story's not even true. People here are lying."
"It wasn't really hazing," added Ray Ortega, 17, a senior who expects to play center on the team this fall. "It was more like wrestling."
Hazed become 'hazers'
Whatever it's called, some experts say, sexual violence and bullying seem to be rising in high schools across America.
Texas and 43 other states have laws against hazing, "but you don't see the numbers going down," Mr. Nuwer said. "There's more reporting of these incidents now than ever."
Mr. Nuwer keeps a nationwide database of hazing cases dating to 1905, when Ohio students put snow down the back of classmate William Taylor, 13, who died of pneumonia not long afterward.
More recent hazing tactics include forcing students to run around naked with crackers between their cheeks; play Twister in the nude; or sit naked on blocks of ice.In 2001, football players in Tulsa allegedly beat a 14-year-old's genitals with traffic cones, then sodomized him with a broom handle.
"The hazers tend to be those students who were hazed the year before," said Norman Pollard, who led a landmark Alfred University study that found that about 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year.
"In order to give significance to their experience, they ratchet it up a notch, making it more difficult, humiliating and violent than the year before. After a few years, it escalates to the point where it can no longer be kept secret," said Mr. Pollard, the university's director of counseling and student development.
School investigation
In Donna, no one knows how long students managed to keep their alleged rites under wraps.
The Donna High investigation began in February after a teacher overheard ninth-graders talking about the football team's supposed initiation rites and reported it.
On Feb. 23, three students were charged with third-degree felony sexual assault in connection with reported assaults on two students in the Donna locker room, municipal court complaints show.
Authorities allege that the three attacked students with latex-covered fingers, waved their genitals and pinned down at least one victim and slapped around his private parts.
Mr. Gonzalez said that say if any hazing was going on at the 1,853-student school before last summer, he didn't know about it.
He also defended the reputation of the Redskins team, which has made the district playoffs 23 times.
"This is an isolated situation," he said. "This is not a reflection of our athletics program. This is a group of kids who made a wrong decision, and now they'll have to pay the consequences."
3 coaches fired
Others are paying a price, too.
On March 10, the Donna Independent School District Board fired David Evans, the high school's athletic director and football coach; Alfredo Holguin, assistant football coach; and Robert Gracia, the freshman football coach.
Their lawyers have ordered all three to keep quiet.
"I can't talk to any media regardless of anything," one said by phone before hanging up.
Mr. Evans, his supporters say, didn't know what was going on and shouldn't be blamed. Nor should he have been expected to constantly watch the locker room, lest parents accuse him of being a pervert, they say.
But school board members, including some of the coach's close friends, removed him anyway.
"There's an accountability level for everybody," board member Luie Solis explained.
"The vast majority of the community" favored the firings, school board president Matthew Jones added.
Mr. Jones played football for Donna High in the 1980s and said he's convinced that what went on in the locker room was "not everyday rough-housing."
"Some people are indifferent, but once they hear the facts, they realize this wasn't just horseplay," he said. "It's terrible the things that allegedly went on."
Back in 1961
Players from Donna High's 1961 championship team say the whole affair is embarrassing.
"We didn't have time for hazing," said Alfredo Avila, 61, a former running back who lives in San Antonio.
Their coach, Earl Scott, was famous for subjecting players to grueling workouts. "The coach worked us to death. He wouldn't even give us water."
"We started with 50 kids and ended up with 18 or 19," said Luz Pedraza, the 1961 team's former quarterback. "The guys that quit couldn't take the workouts."
Today, some young people don't understand the value of hard work, he said. "They want everything handed to them on a platter."
Perhaps some of that old sense of pride is missing, said Jorge Iber, a Texas Tech University history professor who has written about the 1961 team.
"The majority of players on the 1961 team were Mexican-Americans," he said. "They had a tremendous pride in their abilities to compete against anyone and beat anyone. Maybe we've lost some of that."
Donna coaches say whatever may have happened, the entire team shouldn't be blamed.
"These kids outwork anybody that I've ever been associated with," said Mike Burget, first assistant offensive coordinator for the varsity team. "We've got a lot of great kids. And there are a lot of positive things that get overlooked."
Donna athletes just won their sixth straight regional power-lifting meet, for instance, but few people are paying attention to that right now, he said.
"It's a hard time for the coaches and the kids," he said. "We're trying to get back on track."
But players say it isn't easy.
"Everywhere you go, the public looks at you weird," said Mr. Ortega, the football team's center. "The city of Donna should be supporting the football players, not putting us down."
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rainstorm
TexasStooge wrote:Texas prankster prompts N.J. standoff
By YOLANDA WALKER / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas — An Arlington woman was in jail without bond Thursday after police say she made several bogus 911 emergency calls.
Fatin Ward, 23, allegedly made the emergency calls from Arlington using what she thought was an untraceable number to reach police in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Officials say the prank—"bombing—is a popular one that evolved through a national phone chat line.
"'Bombing' means sending the police to somebody's house," said Ward's exasperated mother, who did not wish to be identified. "Everywhere she follows me there's trouble."
Police said Ward pulled the prank by using an Internet service to make the emergency call anonymously. Ward allegedly told police she had been sexually assaulted and was being held hostage in New Brunswick.
"Her purpose for making these 911 calls was to get revenge for people that had made her angry," said Arlington police spokeswoman Christy Gilfour.
Ward had met those people on a telephone chat line where callers invented the "bombing" prank.
Her mother said Ward has spent countless time running up the phone bill over the past four years.
Ward was able to watch on national cable news networks as police surrounded the residence in New Jersey.
"And they all were laughing and giggling, and I opened the back door and told her to get out," Ward's mother said.
Part of the prank is to brag about it later. "And that's just simply unacceptable," Gilfour said. "We cannot have people making fake 911 calls to get revenge on somene because that ties up police resources and ties up anyone who really needs emergency assistance from getting that assistance in a timely manner."
Arlington police arrested Ward at her Arlington apartment on Thursday on an unrelated charge, but they say they are working with New Jersey police on the prank call case.
"I don't know if jail would be the right thing for her, but she needs to get some kind of treatment," Ward's mother said.
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This is no way to get revenge at people who make you mad.
she should have to pay for every cent of expense involved
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TexasStooge
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About Towne has shown the human face of Irving for 20 years
By Brynne Sissom, Irving Rambler Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Irving Community Television Network’s award winning production, About Towne, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
“It has been a joy to help create, nurture and support the arts in Irving over the last years,” Cathy Whiteman, producer and anchor, said. “I started at ICTN as an intern when Heather Brown was producing and John Everett was hosting the show. ICTN and About Towne had a temporary home in the old Buena Vista theater building, then moved to the hallway of the city library that is now the youth facility across from Irving High.”
“I was even present at the ground breaking for the Arts Center in 1985. Ben Carpenter donated the land, and we celebrated having an identifiable home for the visual and performing arts in Irving. The last twenty years have been a heady time covering the growth of arts in this city, and a true to joy to do so,” Ms. Whiteman said.
Over the years About Towne has received ACE awards for cable casting excellence, NATOA awards from the national board and state level chapters of the National League of Cities.
“Highlights for me have been meeting the people in Irving who promote and nurture the arts in Irving. About Towne has been a venue to help them get the word out. I have enjoyed helping these people express themselves on camera and tell their story,” Ms. Whiteman said.
Framing the anniversary of About Towne is the silver anniversary next year of the Irving Community Television Network itself. ICTN launched in 1981 with live coverage of the city’s first wet-dry debate at City Hall.
“We covered a little bit of everything, story-telling, aerobics show that was filmed at Texas Stadium, and senior programming. We branched out from there,” Paul Wahlstrom, long-time executive producer, said. “I was the first TV person hired by the city. Bobby Joe Raper was mayor back then, and Patty Landers was my boss.”
“Our celebrations aren’t planned yet, but we have lots of ideas for programming and ‘old show’ retrospectives. For our tenth anniversary we teamed with the Arts Center and the Dixie Chicks and Bo Didley headlined the evening. Budgets are tighter now, so we will wait and see,” Mr. Wahlstrom said.
An About Towne retrospective remembers some of the special moments of the last two decades. The retrospective featuring special guests, vintage footage, and celebrities who have been on the show is scheduled to air March 30 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 at 9:30 p.m.
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ICTN Can be seen on channels 15, 16, and 77 on Comcast Cable in Irving, TX.
By Brynne Sissom, Irving Rambler Staff Writer
IRVING, Texas - Irving Community Television Network’s award winning production, About Towne, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
“It has been a joy to help create, nurture and support the arts in Irving over the last years,” Cathy Whiteman, producer and anchor, said. “I started at ICTN as an intern when Heather Brown was producing and John Everett was hosting the show. ICTN and About Towne had a temporary home in the old Buena Vista theater building, then moved to the hallway of the city library that is now the youth facility across from Irving High.”
“I was even present at the ground breaking for the Arts Center in 1985. Ben Carpenter donated the land, and we celebrated having an identifiable home for the visual and performing arts in Irving. The last twenty years have been a heady time covering the growth of arts in this city, and a true to joy to do so,” Ms. Whiteman said.
Over the years About Towne has received ACE awards for cable casting excellence, NATOA awards from the national board and state level chapters of the National League of Cities.
“Highlights for me have been meeting the people in Irving who promote and nurture the arts in Irving. About Towne has been a venue to help them get the word out. I have enjoyed helping these people express themselves on camera and tell their story,” Ms. Whiteman said.
Framing the anniversary of About Towne is the silver anniversary next year of the Irving Community Television Network itself. ICTN launched in 1981 with live coverage of the city’s first wet-dry debate at City Hall.
“We covered a little bit of everything, story-telling, aerobics show that was filmed at Texas Stadium, and senior programming. We branched out from there,” Paul Wahlstrom, long-time executive producer, said. “I was the first TV person hired by the city. Bobby Joe Raper was mayor back then, and Patty Landers was my boss.”
“Our celebrations aren’t planned yet, but we have lots of ideas for programming and ‘old show’ retrospectives. For our tenth anniversary we teamed with the Arts Center and the Dixie Chicks and Bo Didley headlined the evening. Budgets are tighter now, so we will wait and see,” Mr. Wahlstrom said.
An About Towne retrospective remembers some of the special moments of the last two decades. The retrospective featuring special guests, vintage footage, and celebrities who have been on the show is scheduled to air March 30 at 7:30 p.m. and April 10 at 9:30 p.m.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
ICTN Can be seen on channels 15, 16, and 77 on Comcast Cable in Irving, TX.
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TexasStooge
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School Board VP Charged With Prostitution
ROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) - A school board member and prominent lawyer has been charged with prostitution, accused of offering legal services in exchange for sexual favors. Steven C. Copenhaver, 56, was released from jail Thursday on a $750 bond.
An arrest affidavit said Copenhaver offered to represent a woman's husband if she and her sister-in-law would perform sex acts with him and each other.
"I am deeply apologetic to my family and friends," Copenhaver said in a statement Thursday. "I hope that all of them will support me during this difficult time. I intend to work through the legal process to get this behind me as soon as possible. Please keep me in your prayers."
Copenhaver, vice president of the Round Rock school board, has served 15 years during two stints on the board. He has practiced law for 20 years.
According to the warrant, Leigh Heavin called Copenhaver on Feb. 23 and asked if he could represent her husband in a criminal case. She told him that she did not have much money and asked if they could arrange a payment plan.
Copenhaver told Heavin that they could work something out and asked her if she had any good-looking friends, according to the warrant. He told her that he had fantasized about two women having sex together, according to the warrant.
The next day, Copenhaver came to Heavin's apartment shortly after her sister-in-law, Malinda Tilley, had dropped in, the warrant said. Unknown to Copenhaver, it said, Heavin's mental health caseworker, her mother and her husband were in a back bedroom.
Copenhaver asked Tilley and Heavin to perform sexual favors for him, according to the warrant. When the women asked "what they would get out of this," Copenhaver said he would represent Heavin's husband, the warrant said.
At that point, the caseworker — from the Bluebonnet Trails Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center — and other family members emerged and called police, according to the warrant.
John Romano, school board president, said he did not know how the arrest would affect Copenhaver's position on the seven-member board.
___
Information from: Austin American-Statesman
ROUND ROCK, Texas (AP) - A school board member and prominent lawyer has been charged with prostitution, accused of offering legal services in exchange for sexual favors. Steven C. Copenhaver, 56, was released from jail Thursday on a $750 bond.
An arrest affidavit said Copenhaver offered to represent a woman's husband if she and her sister-in-law would perform sex acts with him and each other.
"I am deeply apologetic to my family and friends," Copenhaver said in a statement Thursday. "I hope that all of them will support me during this difficult time. I intend to work through the legal process to get this behind me as soon as possible. Please keep me in your prayers."
Copenhaver, vice president of the Round Rock school board, has served 15 years during two stints on the board. He has practiced law for 20 years.
According to the warrant, Leigh Heavin called Copenhaver on Feb. 23 and asked if he could represent her husband in a criminal case. She told him that she did not have much money and asked if they could arrange a payment plan.
Copenhaver told Heavin that they could work something out and asked her if she had any good-looking friends, according to the warrant. He told her that he had fantasized about two women having sex together, according to the warrant.
The next day, Copenhaver came to Heavin's apartment shortly after her sister-in-law, Malinda Tilley, had dropped in, the warrant said. Unknown to Copenhaver, it said, Heavin's mental health caseworker, her mother and her husband were in a back bedroom.
Copenhaver asked Tilley and Heavin to perform sexual favors for him, according to the warrant. When the women asked "what they would get out of this," Copenhaver said he would represent Heavin's husband, the warrant said.
At that point, the caseworker — from the Bluebonnet Trails Community Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center — and other family members emerged and called police, according to the warrant.
John Romano, school board president, said he did not know how the arrest would affect Copenhaver's position on the seven-member board.
___
Information from: Austin American-Statesman
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TexasStooge
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Couple's appeal to vandals: Please stop
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - An Oak Cliff couple said vandals are endangering their prematurely-born triplets by scaring off the nurses who provide around-the-clock care at their home - and they are taking a drastic and unusual measure to stop it.
Caring for their three boys, who were born premature, has been a difficult struggle for Chris and Kim Arnold. The triplets have endured 18 months of medical problems, and one of them named Nate is still on life support and requires constant care.
"Without the nurses, the boys are in great danger," said Kim Arnold.
The Arnolds said vandals have hit cars in front of their house seven times over the past year. The most recent incident came two days ago, when one of the nurses had her windows broken out.
"We've had at least three windows broken out, two stereos stolen (and) a beer bottle thrown through the car," Arnold said.
Adding to the nurses' fears were two high-profile crimes that happened within a mile of the Arnold's house: the kidnapping and murder of a Dallas restaurateur and the murder of an ice cream vendor.
One nurse is leaving, and fellow nurse Brenda Osborn said she too is thinking twice about staying.
"It's a reality that it could happen, and it concerns us," Osborn said of the vandalism.
Said Arnold, "We fought and fought and fought our insurance company and Medicaid and everyone else to get these nurses, and now if they're too scared to come into the house, then what's the point?"
Now, Chris Arnold has put up a sign in front of his house, appealing to the vandals to stop. It reads, "Dear Vandals, The cars in front of this house belong to nurses, they are here to care for my son who is on life support. They are threatening to leave Oak Cliff because you keep breaking the windows out of their cars. (Seven times now!) My sons life depends on them! SO PLEASE STOP!"
Another sign on the couple's door which has been in place much longer reads "and they lived happily ever after." But the Arnolds said with vandals scaring off the nurses their children depend on, right now they're anything but happy.
"When it directly started impacting these guys' lives, that's when it pushed my buttons," Chris Arnold said.
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
DALLAS, Texas - An Oak Cliff couple said vandals are endangering their prematurely-born triplets by scaring off the nurses who provide around-the-clock care at their home - and they are taking a drastic and unusual measure to stop it.
Caring for their three boys, who were born premature, has been a difficult struggle for Chris and Kim Arnold. The triplets have endured 18 months of medical problems, and one of them named Nate is still on life support and requires constant care.
"Without the nurses, the boys are in great danger," said Kim Arnold.
The Arnolds said vandals have hit cars in front of their house seven times over the past year. The most recent incident came two days ago, when one of the nurses had her windows broken out.
"We've had at least three windows broken out, two stereos stolen (and) a beer bottle thrown through the car," Arnold said.
Adding to the nurses' fears were two high-profile crimes that happened within a mile of the Arnold's house: the kidnapping and murder of a Dallas restaurateur and the murder of an ice cream vendor.
One nurse is leaving, and fellow nurse Brenda Osborn said she too is thinking twice about staying.
"It's a reality that it could happen, and it concerns us," Osborn said of the vandalism.
Said Arnold, "We fought and fought and fought our insurance company and Medicaid and everyone else to get these nurses, and now if they're too scared to come into the house, then what's the point?"
Now, Chris Arnold has put up a sign in front of his house, appealing to the vandals to stop. It reads, "Dear Vandals, The cars in front of this house belong to nurses, they are here to care for my son who is on life support. They are threatening to leave Oak Cliff because you keep breaking the windows out of their cars. (Seven times now!) My sons life depends on them! SO PLEASE STOP!"
Another sign on the couple's door which has been in place much longer reads "and they lived happily ever after." But the Arnolds said with vandals scaring off the nurses their children depend on, right now they're anything but happy.
"When it directly started impacting these guys' lives, that's when it pushed my buttons," Chris Arnold said.
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TexasStooge
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Abuse suspected in death of Garland infant
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A Garland father now faces a capital murder charge after the death of his three-month-old daughter.
Joseph Cornelius, 21, is suspected of abusing the child.
Police said Cornelius called 911 on Friday saying his daughter, Jakayla, wasn't breathing. An examination at Baylor Hospital of Garland revealed multiple trauma, including bruises and lacerations on her head and body.
Jakayla was placed on life support and transferred to Children's Medical Center Dallas, where she died on Sunday afternoon.
Cornelius was in custody at the Garland detention center. No bond was set.
GARLAND, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A Garland father now faces a capital murder charge after the death of his three-month-old daughter.
Joseph Cornelius, 21, is suspected of abusing the child.
Police said Cornelius called 911 on Friday saying his daughter, Jakayla, wasn't breathing. An examination at Baylor Hospital of Garland revealed multiple trauma, including bruises and lacerations on her head and body.
Jakayla was placed on life support and transferred to Children's Medical Center Dallas, where she died on Sunday afternoon.
Cornelius was in custody at the Garland detention center. No bond was set.
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TexasStooge
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4 alarm fire damages Arlington warehouse
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze Sunday night at a warehouse in the 3000 block of West Division Street.
The fire was reported around 7:15 p.m. after a person in the building's front office heard a popping noise. He tried unsuccessfully to put down the flames with a fire extinguisher.
A passerby called 911, and the fire quickly escalated to three alarms. A fourth alarm was later sounded to supply extra manpower.
There are two businesses registered at the address—a contractor and an auto body repair shop. Fire officials could not confirm that those businesses were actually operating at the time of the fire, which was under control by 8:30 p.m.
There was heavy structural damage to the building. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
By STEVE STOLER / WFAA ABC 8
ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington firefighters battled a four-alarm blaze Sunday night at a warehouse in the 3000 block of West Division Street.
The fire was reported around 7:15 p.m. after a person in the building's front office heard a popping noise. He tried unsuccessfully to put down the flames with a fire extinguisher.
A passerby called 911, and the fire quickly escalated to three alarms. A fourth alarm was later sounded to supply extra manpower.
There are two businesses registered at the address—a contractor and an auto body repair shop. Fire officials could not confirm that those businesses were actually operating at the time of the fire, which was under control by 8:30 p.m.
There was heavy structural damage to the building. No injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
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TexasStooge
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2 hit, killed on I-635 after car accident
By MATT STILES / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Two people standing on a freeway after an accident were killed Sunday morning when another motorist slammed into them, police said.
The pair – who were driving separate vehicles – apparently were standing in a traffic lane about 7:45 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 635 in far northeast Dallas when the other vehicle crashed into them.
Mary Daniel, 44, of Mesquite died at the scene, which was directly under the Greenville Avenue overpass. A man, whose identity was withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at nearby Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
The rainy conditions early Sunday probably contributed to the incident, which closed the freeway eastbound for more than three hours, police said.
But the pair might have avoided the accident, police said, had they pulled their still-functioning vehicles over to the shoulder or off at the next exit.
Police said details of the crash would be forwarded to a Dallas County grand jury to determine whether criminally negligent homicide charges against the third driver, who wasn't arrested, might be warranted. The driver's name wasn't released.
The man and woman were the 34th and 35th traffic fatalities in Dallas this year, police said.
By MATT STILES / The Dallas Morning News
DALLAS, Texas - Two people standing on a freeway after an accident were killed Sunday morning when another motorist slammed into them, police said.
The pair – who were driving separate vehicles – apparently were standing in a traffic lane about 7:45 a.m. on eastbound Interstate 635 in far northeast Dallas when the other vehicle crashed into them.
Mary Daniel, 44, of Mesquite died at the scene, which was directly under the Greenville Avenue overpass. A man, whose identity was withheld pending family notification, was pronounced dead at nearby Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas.
The rainy conditions early Sunday probably contributed to the incident, which closed the freeway eastbound for more than three hours, police said.
But the pair might have avoided the accident, police said, had they pulled their still-functioning vehicles over to the shoulder or off at the next exit.
Police said details of the crash would be forwarded to a Dallas County grand jury to determine whether criminally negligent homicide charges against the third driver, who wasn't arrested, might be warranted. The driver's name wasn't released.
The man and woman were the 34th and 35th traffic fatalities in Dallas this year, police said.
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