Thread: Rosenthal steps up in officer's death

Sept. 26, 2006, 1:21AM
Rosenthal steps up in officer's death
DA says meeting slain policeman's family persuaded him to take case


Amber, left, and Astin Johnson, daughters of slain HPD officer Rodney Johnson, embrace at a candlelight vigil Monday at Tranquillity Park. Members of the Nation of Islam and immigrant community leaders also attended the vigil.



By BRIAN ROGERS, MIKE GLENN and ROSANNA RUIZ
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

As a community today mourns an officer killed in the line of duty, Harris County's district attorney is preparing for his courtroom face-off with the accused gunman, an illegal immigrant whose capital murder case is being monitored by the Mexican government.

Saying he was motivated by a meeting with Rodney Johnson's family after the officer was killed, Chuck Rosenthal said Monday that he is "coming out of retirement" to lead the prosecution against Juan Leonardo Quintero.


Rosenthal said he doesn't yet know whether he will ask a jury to send Quintero to death row. He won death sentences in 14 cases as a prosecutor before moving up to the top job in 2001.

Police have said they obtained "a full confession" from Quintero, who was still locked in the back seat of Johnson's patrol car — along with a pistol — when officers arrived after the shooting Thursday.

State District Judge Joan Campbell ordered Monday that Quintero, 32, remain in custody without bail. His attorney, Jim Leitner, did not comment after the hearing.

Rosenthal said he could not recall the last time he helped prosecute a case, but guessed that it has been several years.

He said the police officer case is somewhat "bizarre" because Quintero is accused of committing murder even though he was in a situation where he could not escape.

The slaying took place near Hobby Airport after Johnson, a 12-year Houston police veteran, stopped Quintero on a traffic violation. Johnson, 40, arrested Quintero because he had no license or any other form of identification, police said.

He patted Quintero down and handcuffed him, police said, but missed a 9 mm pistol hidden in Quintero's waistband.

The officer, shot four times in the head, was pronounced dead at Ben Taub Hospital. Rosenthal said he met Johnson's family there. Johnson and his wife, Joslyn, also a Houston police officer, have five children.

The suspect's wife, Theresa Quintero, attended Monday's hearing, but declined to comment except to say she feels remorse for Johnson's family.

Representatives from the Mexican Consulate also attended the hearing. The Mexican government, through its consulate office in Houston, continues to monitor Quintero's case and has offered him legal help.

"We're involved from day one," said Carlos Ignacio González Magallón, consul general of Mexico in Houston, "all the way through, regardless of the outcome, when a sentence is meted out. Then if the lawyers think there is grounds to appeal, which is almost always the case, then we assist further till the very end."

Houston lawyer Danalynn Recer, who represents Mexican nationals charged with capital murder, has signed onto the case, Leitner said.

Magallón sidestepped the mounting pressure on Police Chief Harold Hurtt regarding the department's policy of not making immigration checks during traffic stops. Although Magallón would not state his position on the issue, he stressed that he routinely urges Mexicans here, regardless of their legal status, to cooperate with law enforcement officers.

At Grace Community Church on the Gulf Freeway, officials are preparing for thousands of guests for today's daylong visitation.

The public is welcome to pay respects today and Wednesday, said Sgt. Michelle Sandoval, a police department spokeswoman.

brian.rogers@chron.com; mike.glenn@chron.com; rosanna.ruiz@chron.com

I haven't heard any of the La Raza cretins come out & say
this family is racist.

Originally Posted by dem4labor

I haven't heard any of the La Raza cretins come out & say
this family is racist.

They are probably too busy fighting all the other racists.. Although I can't see how they can fight themselves...

This picture made my heart break for these kids,

..an illegal immigrant whose capital murder case is being monitored by the Mexican government.

This is the stuff they want to pass down our throats. This pandering with Mexico with issues that DO NOT concern Mexico ...all in the preparation for the SPP to kick in. Mexico's authorities have no say in this matter because the crime was committed here in the US. Someone should be telling them to butt out, especially with a crime such as murder. But you don't see Alberto Gonzolas speaking out and telling Mexico to butt out.

The aiders and abetters in this crime are George Bush and Alberto Gonzolas. THE BLOOD OF EVERY VICTIM FROM ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS ON THEIR HANDS. IMPEACHMENT NOW!!

I wonder if the suspect's wife is an illegal immigrant too? Any kids (anchor babies)?? Was the suspect employed and, if so, where? I heard a report that there were other subjects in the car. Who were they? What happened to them. We need more info.

"We're involved from day one," said Carlos Ignacio González Magallón, consul general of Mexico in Houston, "all the way through, regardless of the outcome, when a sentence is meted out. Then if the lawyers think there is grounds to appeal, which is almost always the case, then we assist further till the very end."

For goodness sake, the man was caught red-handed with the smoking gun sitting next to him (fingerprints and confession obtained). What defense can there be? Why would Mexico have an interest in such a cold blooded killer? Personally, I think their defense of the accused places them in a very bad light! Why aren't they offering assistance to the victims family? You would think they would at least show some remorse for the actions of one of their citizens. After all, the Mexican government shares a huge part of the responsibility for what is happening regarding our illegal immigration problem.

Why would Mexico have an interest in such a cold blooded killer?

I don't know, but for some reason they are feeling really bold. Its like someone is listening to them, especially the way they carry on like this. To hell with Mexico, they can't do anything to us anyway, unless the SPP has already been initiated--and it better not be.