Finding a fugitive

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 1:52 am

I am not sure if I am in the right place to ask this question, but I am going to ask anyway and maybe someone can help. I just recently lost my mother to a drunk driver who left her to die. I know his name but do not know how i can get a picture of him so that I can do my part in capturing him. This incident happened in Dallas, Texas on April 3 and she passed away on April 6. If there is any kind of help you can give me it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, mommasgirl73

Posted: Mon May 08, 2006 6:20 am

Quote:

I know his name but do not know how i can get a picture of him so that I can do my part in capturing him. This incident happened in Dallas, Texas

I’m sorry for your loss. I can understand wanting to help resolve this matter.
I realize you’re in Texas but if I was approached in California with the same request I would require additional background and would ask the following questions and offer the following opinion.

What exactly will you do with his photograph?
Was your mother a passenger in the same vehicle, in another vehicle or a pedestrian? Was this a hit and run?
How do you know the suspects name, is this person someone known to you or your mother?

Being a major injury accident resulting in a death I assume law enforcement is actively investigating this case, the suspect identified but not in custody.

Has a criminal complaint been filed and a warrant issued for his arrest?
If so what are the charges?

Processing physical evidence, accident reconstruction, reviewing medical examiner reports, filing a criminal complaint and issuing a warrant etc takes time.

Have you spoken to the investigating officer and discussed your concerns?

I sure if the investigating officer felt you having a photograph were in the best interest of the case one would be provided. If you're not satisfied with how the case is being handled you can always speak to a supervisor but remember the justice system takes time and there may be extenuating circumstance you are not aware of.

After discussing this matter with the investigator and prosecutor and still dissatisfied as a last resort you can always involve the news media as they will no doubt be able obtain a photo and if turned into a high profile case it will certainly get a lot more attention, i.e. Scott Peterson…

However if you do, have the courtesy of advising the investigator and prosecutor of your intentions as this may impair the case or make apprehension more challenging.

A private investigator is always an option. Nonetheless a licensed PI ought to ask these questions and more to determine you intent before providing a picture. Other than a booking or drivers license photo and depending on whom the suspect is, his lifestyle, position and background someone connected to the suspect has a photo. Having a name you may want to check some of the sources found on this site.

I strongly suggest allowing law enforcement do their job. If found culpable or not a civil cause of action is an option, remember OJ? Does this person have any assets? This is just my 2 cents; I am interested in reading other members opinions.

Thanks for your time and good luck.
Watchman

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 2:54 am

Dear Watchman,
Thank you for your response to my question at hand. My mother was a pedestrian on the sidewalk and the guy driving the car hit her from behind, then crashed the car into a creek. After the fireman got him out of the vehicle he ran. So, yes it was a hit and run and the charges being filed against him are negligent vehicular homicide and failure to stop and render aid. The only way i have his name is because one of my aunts got it from I'm guessing the detective who was working the case before it went to the district attorneys office. And you are probably right on the aspect of if they wanted us to have one they would have already released a copy to one of her relatives. I am letting the law take matters into their hands and not mine because I strongly believe that God will take care of the rest. I just want the picture so that i can do my part in the capture of him. Not to harass or stalk or hurt in any kind of way. I want him to know what the pain is like that we as my mothers family is enduring because of his need to drink and drive. That is my only purpose. So knowing that information what can i do? Thank you once again, mommasgirl73

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:18 am

MommasGirl,

Sorry about your mom. I lost mine when I was only 16 years old. It is a very, very hard thing to deal with. One thing to keep in mind - all of the pain you are feeling now DOES get better. It just takes time.

I hope the police catch up with this guy very soon.

Has this guy ever been to prison before in Texas? You can search online here.

I agree with Watchman about letting the police handle the whole investigation. But if you are curious to see what the "idiot" looks like you can check to see if he was ever a convicted s-e-x offender. You can search here. s-e-x offenders are required to get their picture taken and have publicly hosted.

Please keep us posted!

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 5:17 am

You could make an appointment with the investigating officer for a face to face and discuss the case in detail. Officers are human and they know exactly what you’re going through. If you’re not involved in the identification of the suspect or a witness to the accident you can ask the investigator if you can see what the guy looks like.

Once the warrant is issued you can call the detail assigned to serve the warrant on a regular basis and be a polite squeaky wheel. Does your area have some type of fugitive watch that publishes info in the paper or on TV?

When the case goes to trial I think having a visible quiet presence in court with eye contact so the jury can connect family members face to the victim is helpful. I would talk to the county prosecutor and discuss your thoughts regarding plea bargaining before they make an offer. At sentencing I would ask the judge if you could address the court and tell how this criminal act affected your life.

I sincerely hope things work out for you.

Watchman

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 12:03 pm

Thank you all for your replies. Honestly I did not think that I would get a response like that. Thank you for the links and he is not registered anywhere and i could not pull up anything on him in the second site. He does have a criminal history, but I do not know what all that entails. The only thing about me doing the face to face is that he is in Dallas and I am in a different town 200 miles away. I do have kids and am not able to do the traveling that i want to do right now. I haven't even seen the site of the incident yet. And since it has already gone to the D.A.'s office, we would have to call them and they wont tell us anything just yet. Not sure why, but that is what I am being told. I will keep you guys posted on the matter. Thank you, Mommasgirl73

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 3:08 pm

mommasgirl73

I can understand law enforcement not giving information over the phone and you being 200 miles away does make it difficult to obtain information but not impossible. You can write a letter to the Chief of Police or Sheriff of the jurisdiction involved, explain your circumstances and request the investigating officer contact you. You can find this information at: http://www.usacops.com/tx/ .

You can also write the Dallas County District Attorney http://www.dallasda.com/ for information, make sure you make it clear that you’re the victim’s daughter and you want to be kept in the loop. In many jurisdictions once the complaint is filed the prosecutor will not see the case until there is court activity and on the calendar.

Send the letters certified mail, written request are not easily ignored.

Was the case in the newspapers? http://hometownnews.com/ If so you can contact the editor and inquire if they had a reporter and photographer on the scene or if they obtain the information from police reports. Reporters especially those handling a “police beat” and do their own research are excellent investigators and may share some details.

Hopefully a forum member familiar with the Texas criminal justice system can offer some direction.

Watchman

Posted: Tue May 09, 2006 6:49 pm

mommasgirl73

You may want to contact M.A.D.D.

M.A.D.D. offers victim support and has several chapters in Texas.

This organization is remarkable and an excellent source for drunk driver information and support.

MADD's Victims Helpline is 1-877-MADD-HELP (877-623-3435)

http://www.madd.org/

http://www.madd.org/victims/1099

Hope this information helps.

Watchman