Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas), Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R-Lubbock) and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R-Texas) are calling for greater oversight of local prosecutors they accuse of failing to enforce state law, pointing to dismissed murder charges and repeat-offender cases in Travis County.
The three state leaders announced the effort on September 18. Burrows said the House Governmental Oversight Select Committee will meet September 30 to hear testimony and consider possible reforms.
House committee to examine prosecutorial decisions
Burrows created the committee in March. He said the hearing will examine prosecutorial decisions that state leaders contend have jeopardized public safety and that the issue will become a priority during the 2027 legislative session.
“When murderers are let off the hook, released on bail through catch-and-release policies, or even have their charges dismissed, public safety is compromised,” Burrows said in the release.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Abbott has also proposed creating a statewide prosecutor who could intervene when local district attorneys fail to pursue certain violent-crime cases. He has also called for giving the Legislature authority to impeach district attorneys who refuse to perform their duties.
State leaders point to Travis County cases
The governor’s release singled out Travis County District Attorney José Garza, a Democrat, and accused his office of dismissing murder charges and declining some violent cases. It also pointed to Travis County bond decisions involving repeat offenders.
Among those cited was Peter Perius. The release listed his 2022 murder charge as dismissed in 2024 and said he received a 10-year prison sentence after a conviction for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence involving a human corpse.
The release listed Roy Garcia’s 2022 murder charge as dismissed in 2023. Garcia also received a 10-year sentence in a 1993 Bexar County murder case, according to the release.
The state listed Christian Alba’s 2023 murder charge as dismissed in 2026. The release also said Alba received probation and community service after a robbery conviction stemming from a 2023 aggravated robbery case.
The release did not explain why the three murder charges ended in dismissal or provide the underlying case numbers.
Additional cases cited by Abbott’s office
The governor’s office also listed multiple cases involving Quinton Peterson, including alleged assaults on peace officers, weapons offenses, possession of a controlled substance, theft of a firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and evading arrest.
According to the release, Peterson received a prison sentence in the aggravated assault case, while authorities rejected or dismissed other cases or filed no charges. The release also listed 2026 warrants alleging family violence and deadly conduct involving a firearm.
Abbott’s office also cited Thomas Vences, who it said has 34 cases in Travis County. The release listed a 2020 burglary case resulting in deferred adjudication, a 2024 burglary case listed as pending after Vences’ release on bond, and an indictment in a 2026 capital murder case involving a peace officer. It gave January 25, 2027, as the jury trial date.
The case summaries came from the governor’s office, and the release did not include a response from Garza’s office. The summaries do not by themselves establish prosecutorial misconduct, and defendants remain presumed innocent of pending charges.
Leaders call for changes
Abbott said prosecutors must enforce Texas law and criticized decisions involving dismissed murder charges and repeat offenders.
“Texans come first,” Abbott said. “Prosecutors must enforce Texas law and keep violent criminals behind bars. When murder charges are dropped and repeat offenders walk free, innocent Texans pay the price. Texas will hold rogue prosecutors accountable and deliver justice for victims.”
Patrick said the Senate will take action against prosecutors the three leaders characterized as rogue and soft-on-crime. The officials did not identify specific legislation in the September 18 announcement.
Provided by Dallas Express
