Angela Weddle carries a sign during the Pride Bigger Than Texas Parade held Saturday June 30, 2012. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. [3], Police used GPS to discover that David Strickland's cell phone had been near the Chapa home when the letter had been hand-delivered. List of people executed in Texas, 19901999, List of serial killers in the United States, "1979 cold case solved: DNA evidence links executed killer to Portland woman's murder", "Woman's 1979 murder solved using DNA evidence, Portland police say", "A popular genealogy website just helped solve a serial killer cold case in Oregon", "Cold Case Homicide Detail Solves 40-year-old Case", "URGENT Convict Known As 'Animal' Captured Without A Shot Fired", "A Town In Terror: How Jerry McFadden's 1986 crime spree stole the lives of Hawkins' best, brightest", "City Hall Update: DNA ties executed killer to 1979 murder of Portland woman", "Jerry (Animal) McFadden's escape to be featured on Investigation Discovery Channel", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jerry_Walter_McFadden&oldid=1140955085, People executed by Texas by lethal injection, Violence against women in the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. A crowd of over 100 people attend a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. On Jan. 31, police announced that Jerry Walter McFadden of Texas had killed Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland on Jan. 24, 1979. NBCs Dateline: The Overlook chronicles how the police zeroed in on David using a letter sent to Kristenes father. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. "GLAAD: Supporters rally and call for #justice4krisandmollie", "Texas Lesbian Couple: Survivor Remembers Night of Shooting", "Two Years Later, Arrests Have Finally Been Made in the Corpus Christi Shooting of A Teenage Lesbian Couple", "Same-Sex Teen Couple Shot: Texas Rangers investigating shooting of Mollie Olgin and Mary Chapa", "Brother of lesbian teen shot in head: She's 'fighting', "Verdict reached 4 years after deadly attack on TX lesbian teen couple", "Same-Sex Teen Couple Shooting: New sketch of suspect released in Texas attack", "Couple who found victims at Portland park testify", "Arrest Affidavit Details Link Between David Strickland, Portland Shootings", "accused-killer-in-portland-shooting-falsely-confessed-expert-says", "jury-watches-video-of-shooting-survivors-photo-lineup", "Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012", "Shooting survivor Kristene Chapa files $500 million lawsuit", "Texas attack survivor's multimillion-dollar lawsuit against David Strickland gets pre-trial hearing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Mollie_Olgin&oldid=1133689494, Violence against LGBT people in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 01:52. The crime went unsolved for about two years before police shifted their focus to Stickland in 2014 after learning about a letter addressed to Chapa's father written from the perspective of a hitman. But she said that it wasn't just her physical state that needed time to recover. McFadden had been convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never had to serve his full sentence. Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head last Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Additionally, a firearms expert at the Texas Department of Public Safety testified that the bullet casing at the scene likely matched Strickland's handgun. Family, friends and supporters walk the trail Friday, June 29, 2012 along Violet Andrews Park as they head to the overlook where teens Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa were found shot last weekend in Portland, Texas. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. Portland police released two composite sketches of the male shooter, based upon information from Chapa as she recuperated. Its apparent in the investigation that once the suspect Mr. Garza made the call to the police department, he committed suicide in the bedroom where the wife and child had already been killed, Cory said. Although a bullet casing was found on the scene, no weapon has been discovered and there are currently no suspects in the shooting. These items were turned over to investigators in the Olgin case. The Layton man was tracked down, but he had a solid alibi for the night of the murder. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, This is what Houston looks like from space, West Texans share apocalyptic photos of after massive dust storm, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. More: David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Sign up to have news emailed to you daily, David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The Portland, Texas couple was found shot in the head on Saturday, June 23. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. People run under a giant rainbow flag after a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. 47 Two years after a brutal attack on a female couple near Corpus Christi made national headlines, a break in the case has resulted in two arrests. A vigil was held for the girls at a local high school Sunday and a candle-lit walk is scheduled to take place in the park on Friday. One girl is dead and another in serious condition after a mysterious shooting in a normally peaceful town. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night, June 22, 2012, that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital murder. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. In September 2016, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. The prosecution did not pursue the death penalty, and therefore, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. U.S. Julie Pousson (left) cries during a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. Chapa is currently taking college courses while writing a book about her experience. Cops found three people dead inside the childs bedroom: Jennifer Phillips, Eli Garza and the perpetrator Roel Garza. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. In 2019, one of Strickland's attorneys said a man from Nevada, whose DNA was found at the scene, was actually responsible for the crime. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their sonEli Garza, 5. Police Chief Randy Wright says there's no evidence that the attack was motivated by their relationship. In August 1986, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the escape. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. Elizabeth Valadez of Corpus Christi, Texas, writes a message on one of the posts Friday, June 29, 2012 as other friends and supporters write messages on a large sheet behind her during a vigil for teens Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. The motion also states the evidence presented at trial is "insufficient to sustain Strickland's conviction. His sentence will automatically be appealed. Chapa suffered tunnel vision and lost part of her mobility. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. WebAMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) - Police say a Texas mother has been charged with murder in the death of her 2-month-old baby, KFDA reports. Carol got started in journalism while teaching English in Poland during martial law. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. It is one day before the two-year anniversary. Due to the attacks brutal nature, it received heavy media coverage and resulted in public outrage. It was written from the perspective of a hitman who claimed that someone from Layton, Utah, was responsible for the attacks and had wanted Kristene dead. She has recovered those abilities but was still recently undergoing physical rehabilitation. WebMollie Olgin was a 19-year-old woman murdered on June 22, 2012 in Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas after she and her girlfriend were attacked and shot. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison and dumped her body in a park about 25 miles (40km) from Lake Hawkins. Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. People write messages of support on a banner during a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. Ammunition found in his possession was identified as the same ammunition used in the killings of Boone and Turner. However, the authorities learned that he used to be friends with David before things fell apart. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Olgin, 19, died at the scene. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. Photo: Portland Police Department. Convicted in 1979 of aggravated sexual assault for kidnapping and raping an 18-year-old woman at knifepoint. Chapa, now 27, survived. KRIS 6 News obtained the almost 20 second audio clip of the police call to Portland PD, but some of it was inaudible. During her recovery, Chapa worked with police to help identify her shooter. Paroled in December 1978. He contacted family members Friday evening, said Cory, who did not elaborate much. "All my supporters; they've been there. A poster depicting Kristene Chapa and her girlfriend Mollie Judith Olgin, at the Chapa residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, TX. Kristene Chapa, 19, in her bedroom at the Chapa residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, Texas. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. All rights reserved. Sign up for breaking news alerts from NBC News. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. Police Chief Randy Wright says there's no evidence that the attack was motivated by their relationship. He then sexually assaulted and shot them. Garza shot both Phillips and Eli twice, Cory said. Rachel Timson and Sarah Dime embrace during a vigil. Mollie Olgin was a 19-year-old woman murdered on June 22, 2012 in Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas after she and her girlfriend were attacked and shot. The gunshot initially left Chapa unable to sit or stand, with the bullet piercing the part of her brain controlling movements on her left side. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Kristene Chapa's girlfriend died from the 2012 attack. A friend said Chapa remembers the night of the shooting. The chief described the fathers preliminary actions in general terms. Previously, DNA found on a cigarette butt and energy drink can at the scene both matched to Spellman. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. David remains incarcerated at the William G. McConnell Unit in Beeville, Texas. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we? Neighbors described Jennifer Phillips as, in the words of KRIS-TV, the heart of the community, and Eli as a playful soul., [Screengrab of memorial for Jennifer Phillips and Eli Garza at their home via KIII], Have a tip we should know? The women had been sexually assaulted and shot in the head around midnight the previous evening. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. A memorial is seen at the corner of Market and Castro Streets during a vigil for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa (pictured). 5-year-old dead after double homicide-suicide in Portland. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. The Caller-Times is withholding the man's name as it's unclear if he's been arrested and charged with a crime. A psychologist also concluded in 2009 that David had hallucinations and suicidal ideations. Officers described finding a tragic, horrifying murder scene at the home in northeast Portland. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. As the investigation carried on, there was a break in the case in June 2014 when Kristenes father received an anonymous letter in the mail. [15] The appeal was denied in January 2020. This is still an active investigation. Chapa attributed a large part of her recovery to her family, especially her mother Grace Chapa, who stayed with her in a physical rehabilitation center for three-and-a-half months. When police arrived, they found the front door open, and found a family of three, 5-year-old Eli Garza, 36-year-old Jennifer Phillips, and 52-year-old Roel Garza dead in the child's bedroom. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. Nevertheless, the jury found David, then 30, guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. Sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1973 for two counts of rape. Members and supporters of the gay community held a vigil on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif., at the corner of Castro and Market Streets for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa, two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. The chief described the mother as struck multiple times in the head., We had four officers on scene, and it was rough on them, Cory said. [7] He was arrested two days later after the biggest fugitive hunt in Texas state history. The front door was open, according to the official version of events in the KIII report. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Ive been trying to think of anybody I know that would try and hurt them for any reason, Garrett said, and not one person comes to mind.. Arrested in May 1986 for the rape and murder of 18-year-old high school cheerleader Suzanne Harrison and the murder of 20-year-old Gena Turner and 19-year old Bryan Boone who were shot. Emailus. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. Then, he took it back. More:Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012, More:Defense: New DNA results exonerate man convicted in 2012 double shooting in Portland, More:'Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin' episode about 2012 Portland attack of teens to air, Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. Strickland told investigators he composed the letter two weeks before his arrest and printed it out at a public library computer. 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