State rests in case against Barrientes Vela, but not before fiery cross-examination of Texas Ranger
The prosecution rested its case Wednesday afternoon in the public corruption trial of Michelle Barrientes Vela, capping off seven days of testimony that ranged from methodical to explosive and included a mistrial nearly being declared.
Barrientes Vela trial delayed to August after DA discovery issues emerge
Attorneys for the one-time Bexar County Precinct 2 constable successfully argued during a 90-minute hearing before Judge Velia Meza decided that they did not have sufficient time to analyze hours of undercover audio recordings from the case.
Attorneys for Barrientes Vela file motion to have DA Gonzales kicked off of case
The upcoming public corruption trial of indicted ex-Bexar County constable Michelle Barrientes Vela took another turn this week as her attorneys filed a formal motion to have District Attorney Joe Gonzales removed from the case.
LaHood, former DA political consultant spar during Barrientes Vela hearing
Former Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood and the person who helped the current DA knock him out of office sparred Thursday during an evidentiary hearing in the case against indicted former constable Michelle Barrientes Vela.
Barrientes Vela makes first court appearance since being indicted on felony charges
SAN ANTONIO โ Former Bexar County Precinct 2 Constable Michelle Barrientes Vela on Wednesday morning made her first court appearance since her arrest last month on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. Surrounded by family members and a group of supporters, Barrientes Vela was in and out of court in under an hour. Supporters at one point yelled โCollier coward,โand tried to block a KSAT 12 photographer from recording footage of Barrientes Vela outside court. Barrientes Vela faces one felony count of aggravated perjury, two felony counts of tampering with evidence and three misdemeanor counts of official oppression. Prosecutors accuse Barrientes Vela of lying in her sworn statements about Deputy Leonicio Moreno, who had filed an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaint against her.
Could Bexar County be next to decriminalize marijuana?
SAN ANTONIO โ In February, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg unveiled a new program that would decriminalize marijuana offenses in the county. The diversion program gives those caught with a misdemeanor amount of marijuana (4 ounces or less) the opportunity to take a course. Bexar County District Attorney Nico LaHood recently commented on the new Harris County program and if itโs a plan Bexar County is looking into. โAfter reviewing Harris Countyโs marijuana diversion program, I believe there are some unintended consequences in its long term use and it would not be beneficial to Bexar County as it is written. I have engaged in conversations with Chief (William) McManus and Sheriff (Javier) Salazar and will be organizing a meeting with County commissioners to discuss possibly implementing a program that would benefit Bexar County.โThe Harris County policy went into effect March 1st.