A new Dateline NBC episode that aired in Decembertook another look at the sexual assaultand shooting of two South Texas women nearly a decade ago. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. (AP Photo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Michael Zamora), A crime scene investigator takes pictures of an evidence marker near some playground equipment Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. [18]. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; Ammunition found in his possession was identified as the same ammunition used in the killings of Boone and Turner. Strickland was expected to be transferred to a jail in Sinton, outside of Portland, on Saturday, Giles said. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. [15] The appeal was denied in January 2020. About 50 people attended the event. A few days after the attack, a man named David Strickland went to the police to provide information regarding something he saw on the night of the shootings. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. William Davis, who worked at Christus Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler, Texas, was convicted of capital murder on Oct. 19. Chapa was 18 years old in June 2012 when she and her girlfriend Mollie Olgin were shot in the head execution-style at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. "There are still a lot of things that that we cannot release but we're confident that we do have our person.". A couple out bird watching the next morning found the girls Olgin had died but Chapa, who tried to claw her way out of the thorny brush, was alive. PHOTOS: A Visual History of the Gay-Rights Movement. Olgin died at the scene and Chapa is in stable condition in the hospital. Theresa Garnero and Rosie Castillo embrace during a vigil. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparently shot by a mysterious assailant in Portland, Texas Friday night. Additionally, a firearms expert at the Texas Department of Public Safety testified that the bullet casing at the scene likely matched Strickland's handgun. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. Wright said that police were operating on the assumption that the two girls were dating based on of information from family and friends. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News, David Strickland, 27, was arrested June 20, 2014, in Helotes. After an investigation, police confirmed that Garza shot his child and wife, and then took his own life shortly after hanging up with Portland PD. He was also seen talking to people at the crime scene, telling them that his partner, Laura, knew one of the victims. Roel Garza did not have a history of violence before the murder-suicide, cops said. 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. Crimes scene investigators take evidence back to their vans Saturday, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas. [7] He was arrested two days later after the biggest fugitive hunt in Texas state history. 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. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. The Caller-Times is withholding the man's name as it's unclear if he's been arrested and charged with a crime. David Strickland was not the person who killed a 19-year-old in a Portland park, and new DNA evidence proves it, attorneys for Strickland say. He is now appealing the conviction based on new DNA evidence that his attorneys claim prove he was wrongly convicted. 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. A memorial is seen at the corner of Market and Castro Streets during a vigil for Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa (pictured). In September 2016, he was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparentlyshot by a mysterious assailantin Portland, Texas Friday night. A native of Des Moines, Iowa, she holds a Master?s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a Master?s in sociology from Michigan State University. He contacted family members Friday evening, said Cory, who did not elaborate much. [9], Layton Police investigating the burglary had discovered evidence in Strickland's car including two guns, ammunition, a suppressor, gloves and a backpack containing condoms, flex handcuffs, bolt cutters, a knife and other items. Just come now, Roel Garza said in 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV. Attorneys for convicted killer David Strickland are asking for a hearing along with records they hope will prove someone else was to blame for the 2012 double shooting in a Portland park. 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. In September 2016, David stood trial for the shooting. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. McFadden had been convicted of rape three times between 1972 and 1978, but never had to serve his full sentence. He then sexually assaulted and shot them. An expert witness for the defense testified that the confession was false because David was repeatedly told his wife would be charged if he didnt confess. 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. Due to the attacks brutal nature, it received heavy media coverage and resulted in public outrage. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. On July 9, 1986, he overcame Kenneth Mayfield, a jailer, and escaped from the prison in Upshur County with Rosalie Williams, another guard, as a hostage. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple. A psychologist also concluded in 2009 that David had hallucinations and suicidal ideations. 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. 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. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison and dumped her body in a park about 25 miles (40km) from Lake Hawkins. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. "I felt powerful, like I took my power back to be able to stand up against him," Chapa said. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. The suspected shooter allegedly forced the girls down a steep incline in the quiet bayside park, bound them and shot them in the head. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. "Not only was his DNA found on objects left at the crime scene, but a lab report now undeniably shows that the hair pulled from Kristine Chapas body is in fact (the man's) hair," the November motion states. Ashlee Burns covers trending and breaking news in South Texas. U.S. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. 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. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. On May 4, 1986, McFadden kidnapped 20-year-old Gena Turner, 19-year-old Bryan Boone, and 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison as they took a trip to Lake Hawkins north of Tyler, Texas. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. I hope that it gives them some closure knowing that this person is taken off the street, Portland Police Chief Gary Giles said of the victims families and the community. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2016. His attorney, Cynthia Orr, told the Caller-Times that the type of DNA testing technology that would be conducted on a piece of pubic hair found on Chapa was not available during the time of Strickland's trial. When a dispatcher asked 'what's going on there? Almost exactly two years earlier, on June 22, 2012, Mollie Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, who was then 18, were found in a birdwatching area at Violet Andrews Park in Portland near Corpus Christi. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. However, the authorities learned that he used to be friends with David before things fell apart. Gerald Walter McFadden was born on March 21, 1948, in Haskell County Texas. McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. His sentence will automatically be appealed. Olgin, 19, died at the scene. Friends of the girls have said that Olgin and Chapa began dating five months ago. I do miss it a lot and, like, even being able to pick up my niece and nephews. I want to have my independence back.". He was arrested on 6 May, after a police report from a couple he had attacked by the lake on the day of the murder. 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. She was found the next day. Carol Christian reports on breaking news for chron.com. 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. Authorities said last year they didnt believe the attack was a hate crime, but they hadnt established a motive. [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. The Layton man was tracked down, but he had a solid alibi for the night of the murder. 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 the two lesbian teens who were shot on Friday near Corpus Christi, Texas. 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She has recovered those abilities but was still recently undergoing physical rehabilitation. David and Laura owned a car that matched the description. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparently shot by a mysterious assailant in Portland, Texas Friday night. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. In July 1987, he was sentenced to death for the murder of 18-year-old Suzanne Harrison, 20-year-old Gena Turner and 19-year-old Bryan Boone. Man and wife jailed in 2-year-old attack on female couple near Corpus Christi, Portland police still seek leads in teen couple shooting. Could David Strickland be exonerated in 2012 Portland double shooting? [4] Following intensive care and concerns that the bullet may have left her completely paralyzed,[5] Chapa regained mobility in the left side of her body and helped police create a sketch of the offender.[6][7]. 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