Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers Clear Crime Lab

Former Employee Never Wanted Complaints Public

For months, the Austin Police Department's DNA Crime Lab has been under scrutiny after former employee Cecily Hamilton complained of improper training and personnel issues.  But Tuesday, the close watch over the crime lab came to an end when police chief Art Acevedo announced the independent investigation found no wrongdoing by the lab.

"This turned out to be a blessing because again what we have found out and what we've been able to determine - is that we have an outstanding crime lab," said Acevedo.

Acevedo outlined eight findings Department of Public Safety DNA supervisors and Texas Rangers concluded.  Some of the results include experts' beliefs the crime lab uses extensive procedures to minimize contamination, that no evidence was found to have contaminated previous cases, and the DNA analyst in question was well trained.

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg said after the investigations launched by APD's Internal Affairs division, the Travis Country District Attorney's Office, and the third-party departments, a backlog of cases started stacking up at the courthouse.  The delayed cases did not cause a huge problem, but the more telling news according to Lehmberg is that no prior cases will need to be retried.

"The integrity of this lab, the professionalism of this lab is crucial to the department, to our office and to the entire community," she said.

Hamilton's legal team, including Jerry Smith, said Hamilton never alleged the crime lab contaminated evidence.  "She has never once said there was any faulty final product that came out of the crime lab," said Smith.  But Acevedo felt he needed to launch a full-scale investigation to clear the lab of any lingering doubts in the public's perception.

"We can't even afford the appearance of not doing the right thing when it comes to evidence that is extremely valuable in convictions and in proving the innocence of the wrongly accused and the wrongfully convicted," said Acevedo.

Lehmberg said the District Attorney's Office will not pursue charges against Hamilton.  Sometimes, it's what disgruntled employees do, she said of Hamilton's allegations.

Austin Neighbors to Take Bite Out of Crime

Neighborhoods in Austin will join thousands of other communities throughout the country for the October edition of National Night Out, a crime awareness and prevention program.  The 27th National Night Out kicks off Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at "The Grove" at Southpark Meadows, located at 9300 South I-35.

National Night Out increases crime awareness and prevention by acquainting neighbors with each other, community leaders with neighborhood watch leaders, and the police officers who patrol their streets.  Often times, support is strengthened through these personal introductions that helps people increase crime efforts.  Police say the night is important to send the message to others that your neighborhood is a safe place to live.

Neighborhoods are encouraged to come together and send the message that we are
all working together to prevent crime and keep our neighborhoods safe.  Starting at 6 p.m., residents are asked to turn on their porch lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outside with their neighbors, police officers, EMS, and fire fighters.  Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo will speak at 6:30 p.m. about the night and what it means to him as the leader of the Austin Police Department.

For the rest of the nation, National Night Out occurs in August.  Since Texas is so hot,
the event has been moved to October when it is cooler outside.

City of Austin Approves $2.8 Billion Budget

The Austin City Council held an unusual Monday meeting today and unanimously approved a balanced $2.8 billion budget that will take effect on October 1.

A previously estimated $11 million to $28 million shortfall was made up in part by eliminating about 22 vacant positions in city offices and by cutting costs in what the council calls departmental "budget scrubbing."

Among the highlights from the approved budget, the city is adding an additional 48 police officers, 30 paramedics, and 10 firefighters. The council is also going forward with the no-kill plan for animal services, increasing staffing in the Planning and Development Review Department, and allocating an additional $500,000 to purchase library materials. However, $300,000 that would have funded the Trail of Lights is being reallocated to fund park maintenance instead of the city's annual holiday walk.

The new budget comes with increases in public service rates. Austin Energy customers will see their electric bill go up an average of 79 cents for residential customers. Residents who use 90-gallon garbage carts will have their bill increased by $1, but 60 and 30 gallon carts will remain the same. In addition, Austin Water customers will face an average increase of $3.84 to their bill.

In addition to approving the budget for Fiscal Year 2011, the city council held their first public tax rate hearing on a proposed property tax rate of 45.71 cents per $100 in assessed property value. Another public hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m. on September 29. The council expects to adopt the new tax rate on September 30.

For a detailed look at the approved budget, visit the City of Austin's dedicated budget website.

Empower Kids to Be Safer, Not Sheltered

by Sarah and Ryan Loyd 

The recent news about a teenage girl who said she was attacked by men while she was walking to school was shocking to many parents, to be sure. I have no doubt that for many of them, the immediate reaction was to drive their kids to and from school the next day, just in case.

As it turns out, the girl recanted most of her story, and police have called off the investigation. But I hope that Austin parents, instead of throwing their kids behind lock and key in response to the big "what if", instead teach their children about what they should do in such a situation.

I asked Lenore Skenazy, a nationally-syndicated columnist and the author of the book Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry, what she thought about the situation and how parents can prepare their kids to deal with such a situation.

Skenazy, the so-called "worst mom in America" for giving her own child the chance to ride the subway alone in their home of New York City (but with proper preparation and adequate fare money) offers several tips.  She says that parents need to teach children to be familiarized with the neighborhood.  Skenazy also says to teach them to ask strangers for help if they are in trouble.  "Since most people are NOT predators, they will help rather than hurt your child," she told the Austin Citysphere.

"Teach them they can scream, kick and run away from anyone bothering them."  She also says that teaching kids basic self-defense isn't a bad idea.

Skenazy also advises parents to make sure they have good communication with their kids so that if anything does happen, children will be more willing to come forward.  "Teach them ... that they CAN tell you if anything 'bad' happens (or is attempted) and that you won't be angry at them.  You're on their side.  Open lines of communication keep kids safer from the FAR more common threats of abuse at the hands of someone they know (a family member or family friend)."

For more on empowering kids to be safe, check out Skenazy's Free Range Kids blog or find her book online.

When events like this happen, parents should not freak out; instead, prepare them for the road ahead and teach them how to handle themselves.  You can't lock them up because they eventually grow up.  Then what?   Skenazy practices what she preaches, which earned her the worst mom in America title by the media.  Parents used to let their children go to the bus stop without a second thought.  Kids used to ride their bikes down the street or to the market by themselves.  What happened to that?

It's true: the world may not be as simple as it once was.  But responsible parenting and smart thinking by kids is the best parenting a mom and dad can give to their child(ren).  New parents ourselves, we want to protect our child no matter what.  But the old adage, "Give the man a fish, he eats for a day.  Teach a man how to fish and he eats for life" is very true here.

What do you think?  Let us know.

Personal Watercraft Banned on Lake Austin This Weekend

The APD Parks and Lake Patrol Unit has announced a personal watercraft ban during Labor Day Weekend on Lake Austin.

The ban includes use and operation of personal watercraft, wet bikes, motorized surfboards and similar devices and lasts from sunset tonight, September 3rd, through sunrise on Tuesday, September 7.


APD bans personal watercraft every year during the Labor Day holiday to ensure the safety of the crowds of people on the lake and in the parks. They'll be patrolling the lake as well.

If you have an emergency on the water or need to report reckless boating, call 911. If you have any questions about the ban, call APD's Lake Patrol Unit at 329-8841.

APD Seeks More Victims in Alleged Elderly Theft Case

From the Austin Police Department:

On April 9, 2009, a theft case was reported to the Austin Police department by an 84 year old elderly victim. The victim hired Enrique Mojica to paint his house and gave Mojica $1,800 in the form of checks for materials to paint the house. The work was never completed and despite numerous attempts to get his money back Mojica never returned the money he took from the elderly victim.

Mojica has been indicted for Theft from Elderly, a 3rd Degree Felony but the warrant for Mojica is still outstanding.

Detectives believe that there may be other (elderly) victims. If you are a victim please make a police report by calling 512-974-5750.

If anyone has information regarding this case call please call 512-974-5584 during the week/days and 512-974-5779 over the weekends/nights. If you know the whereabouts of Mojica please call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES. You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.

Police Looking for Man in Two Sex Crimes Cases

Austin police officers are looking for a man they say pulled a knife on two women and tried to sexually assault them.

Police released information about the incidents, which took place last Saturday before midnight.  In the first case, police say a female accepted a ride from a Hispanic man in a pick up truck.  Police say shortly after the drive began, the man pulled out a knife, threatened the victim, and attempted to sexually assault her.  She fought back and was able to escape.

The man then encountered another female shortly after midnight.  In this case, police say the man punched the woman in the face and overpowered the woman.  He forced her into his truck, according to police information, held a knife to her throat and drove to Derby Cove.  Police say this time the man successfully sexually assaulted the victim.

The suspect is described as:

Hispanic male, light complexion
Mid 20’s
5’10”, thin build
Black hair cut in a fade style
Prominent nose with bump midway
Prominent Adam’s apple

He is possibly driving a newer model dark blue 4door Chevy Silverado quad cab
with a leather interior.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the sex crimes unit at 512-974-5230.

Dive Team Inspects Aging Longhorn Dam

Divers are heading underwater to check out the condition of Longhorn Dam along Lady Bird Lake this morning.

Austin Energy has maintained the dam since 1959, when it was first built to create a cooling reservoir for the steam generators at the Holly Power Plant and ensure that the plant always had enough water to operate.


While commercial divers are inspecting the structural integrity of Longhorn Dam below the surface, the City of Austin Police and Fire Dive Team will conduct a training dive to learn how to navigate the dam as well.

Austin Energy says the 51-year-old dam is not in any danger of failing at this time, but is beginning to show signs of old age. The utility plans to make necessary replacements or upgrades to equipment over the next two years, including an already-planned upgrade to the hydraulic systems that move the two gates in the center, as well as replacing the dam's analog controls with modern digital equipment. Austin Energy will also discuss turning over responsibility for Longhorn Dam over to the Lower Colorado River Authority, which already manages the Colorado River.

Students Start the School Year In Style With APD

Who would have thought that Austin Police do makeovers? The Austin Police Activities League (PAL) is giving some students returning to school the chance to get a new 'do for the new school year.

The "Back to School Haircuts/Styles" day is going on today, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Salon M in Pflugerville.

It's expected that more than 100 youth will get new, free hairstyles in time to get the school year off on a positive note. They'll also receive free school supplies for participating. The children were selected from the Austin Housing Authority, AISD and participants in the Boys and Girls Club's summer basketball program.

The Austin Police Activities League works with youth through athletic, educational and wellness programs to build positive interaction with officers and foster an atmosphere of mutual respect.

New Arrests in Connection with 2009 West Campus Murder

Friday Austin police made two arrests in connection with two murders that happened in the 900 block of West 21st Street last summer.

21 year old Roy M. Renick and 19 year old Samuel H. Gifford are charged with capital murder for the deaths of Stacey Barnet, 22, and Jonathan Goosey, 21 (pictured right/Austin Chronicle) on July 21, 2009. 

Police say they made both arrests only hours apart but by separate units of APD and an outside agency.  Renick, arrested at 12:45 p.m., was taken in by the APD Intel Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.  Gifford was arrested at 2:30 p.m. by the APD Cold Case Unit.  Police say both arrests were without incident.

Another man, Ricky Thompson, was previously arrested in connection with the murders.  Police reported Thompson was in debt to Goosey for marijuana he'd taken but never paid for.  According to officers, they believed Thompson felt he had no other choice than to kill Goosey.  According to police, Barnet apparently had no knowledge of Goosey's drug dealings or the extent to which he bought and sold to people like Thompson.

Thompson also faces capital murder charges.

Mayor Explains Hard Decision on Rejecting $750,000 Settlement

Thursday night Mayor Lee Leffingwell and the Austin city council, in a 4-3 vote, rejected a settlement proposal for $750,000 with the family of a man slain by Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana.  The shooting, which happened in May 2009 outside of an east Austin apartment complex, killed Nathaniel Sanders and injured Sir Lawrence Smith.  Officer Quintana approached a vehicle occupied by Sanders and Smith, and it was believed Sanders was sleeping.  But as Quintana got closer to the vehicle, the officer believed Sanders to have woken and that he was reaching for a gun.  That's when Quintana fired the shots that killed Sanders.

The event sparked outrage and a continuing heated relationship between members of the community and the Austin Police Department.  Earlier this summer, a settlement proposal reached the desks of the Austin legal department.  The terms of the settlement would give the Sanders family money in exchange for the family to drop the city and Quintana from a lawsuit.  Thursday, Leffingwell expressed his opposition to the settlement, but acknowledged several city council members supported the settlement.

The council eventually rejected the proposal, but by a very narrow margin.  Friday, Leffingwell released a statement explaining his decision and why he wants the case to be decided by a Travis County jury.  Here is Leffingwell's response to the community (photo from Statesman.com).

Last night the Austin City Council voted 4-3 to allow the legal case surrounding the death of Nathaniel Sanders II to proceed to trial.  I joined the majority in voting against the proposed settlement.

This was perhaps the most difficult decision that this Council has faced over the past year, and it’s easy for me to see how reasonable people would disagree about the best path forward.   I don’t condemn anyone's point of view, or their vote.

This was a tragedy for the Sanders family, and a tragedy for Austin as a whole. Unfortunately, nothing that we do is going to change that.   That much is simple.

But the facts of the case are complex, as evidenced by the different conclusions that different people and groups have reached after reviewing the facts as we know them.

I think it was reasonable, from the taxpayer's perspective, for the city’s legal team to have recommended a settlement that they believed could be less than the possible cost to taxpayers to move forward with litigating the case.  I understood the business case.

I also understood the emotional appeal of settling.  Some have argued passionately that this settlement would have helped to heal the Sanders family, and I do not discount the importance of that.   My heart goes out to this family.  If there was something meaningful that I could do to make this situation better for them, I would do it.

But ultimately, after thinking and talking about it for many months, I believe that what's most important in all of this is to understand as best we can exactly what happened that night, so that we can then do everything possible to prevent it from happening again.

It would be a huge failure on our part not to learn from this tragedy.  That should begin with determining, as completely and as impartially as possible, exactly what happened.  I believe the most appropriate place to do that is in the courtroom, in front of a jury.

I’m fully aware that my decision was hurtful to some in the community, and I regret that.  I would like to have been able to make a decision last night that would have perhaps provided some immediate relief to people who I know are suffering. 

But I believe that our larger and longer-term responsibility – as difficult as it may be emotionally – is to make a full, fair and final determination about exactly what happened, so that we can then get on to the work of trying to keep it from happening again.

Debbie Russell Talks What Justification Means in Sanders Shooting

As Seen on Radio Episode 2...

Find out how you can order your Round Rock Express concession food right from your seat from Brandon Lloyd, president of Bypass Lane.  The Dell Diamond is the only place in the country right now where you can do this.

Also, Debbie Russell talks about the possible settlement between the city of Austin and the Nathaniel Sanders family.  Will the city council vote this week to drop $750,000 to the family?  Will the settlement equal justice?

And a local Austin teacher wins a national award.  Hear from fourth grade teacher Sally Hunter and how her 30 years of molding young minds helped her win $2,500 and some time in the national spotlight.

Police Assocation President Writes Open Letter to City Council

The president of the Austin Police Association is urging the city council to seriously consider withdrawing its settlement to the Sanders family following the shooting death of Nathaniel Sanders last year.  A $750,000 settlement has been proposed.

Below is the open letter to Mayor Lee Leffingwell and city council members. 

To:       Lee Leffingwell, Mayor
            Austin City Council – City Hall
            301 W. 2nd Street
            Austin, TX  78701

Dear Mayor,

On behalf of the 1600 men and women who provide law enforcement services to our community, I would like to express deep concerns over the contemplated settlement between the City of Austin and the Sanders family.  We were all taken by surprise in learning this surrender was being considered.  Before you render a decision in this matter, allow me to address in detail what we believe will be the unintended result of such a settlement.

The moment this ill advised settlement is finalized, there will be a permanent impression that the City of Austin admits this shooting was unjustified and that Officer Quintana alone was responsible for the death of this young man.  Nothing could be further from the truth, and any reasonable person knowledgeable about the facts would agree.  No amount of clauses within the agreement prohibiting assumptions of guilt is going to change the fact that the community will take from this an admission that the police acted inappropriately.  Of course Mr. Loewy will be prohibited from making assertions about police misconduct, but he already did the day this potential settlement became public.  His statement to KXAN on 7/10/10, “We are pleased that the City of Austin and APD finally accepts responsibility for this unjustified shooting,” gives you proof positive that this will be the final judgment in the mind of the community.  Our officers are accustomed to inaccurate perceptions of their actions from anti-police activists and other critics, but this time it will be at the hands of our City Council.  Unless you believe this shooting was unjustified and the District Attorney, the Grand Jury, the Police Monitor and the Austin Police Department got it wrong, then I submit you have a duty to fight this in court.

This settlement completely counters any intention of city government transparency.  By appropriating three quarters of a million dollars for this settlement, there will be no trial.  There will be no opportunity for the general public to see all of the facts.  There will be no public display of all evidence developed from this incident.  A case can be made that this is nothing short of hush money.  More than once in this case the City and APD have been accused by critics of a cover up.  To stop the process now with a payoff is certainly not going to change that perception; in fact, it will only serve to bolster it.

With the City’s history of such settlements after police incidents, we are sending a very dangerous message to those who still believe they have a right to resist and fight our Police Officers.  Over the years I think we all can agree APD has changed tactics and technology in a remarkable effort to reduce injuries to suspects during police confrontations.  We have been remiss however, in another critical area of police encounters.  We seldom talk about the responsibility of our citizens to reduce these injuries.  That responsibility is very simple.  Don’t fight or resist the police.  If this responsibility is fulfilled, the need for Police Officers to use force in the first place will be eliminated.  Money contemplated to make this trial disappear would serve a much better purpose in public education about what the role is of the police officer, and how best to interact with the police during traffic- stops or other such contacts.  I submit this type of program has a real chance of saving lives.  Payoff money to make a trial go away will do no such thing.

I submit you have a responsibility to the taxpayers of Austin to protect their liability, and if that means fighting this lawsuit in court, then so be it.   I hope you also agree there is a responsibility to the Police Officers you employ.  All of you have publicly announced your support of law enforcement.  This is one of those opportunities in which you can demonstrate that support by your willingness to fight this battle in court and resist the urge to take the easy way out.  There are some concerns that going to court is a gamble for the city.  Our officers still believe in the system and believe we will prevail, as do legal experts I have consulted with.  Of course there are no guarantees on the outcome, but in this case, money cannot be the primary concern.  The reputation of your Police Officers and the city must also be considered when making this decision.  Adam Loewy has had the luxury of making outrageous allegations against us for over a year via the media.  Your vote to settle this on the dawn of trial will be taken as a sign you agree with him.  I refuse to believe that I will be disappointed when you as a body make this decision.

Thank you so much for your time and attention to this matter.

Wayne Vincent, President
Austin Police Association

Wrongful Death Settlement Now in City Council's Hands

"I know it's not a done deal, but it would absolutely send the wrong message." - Wayne Vincent, President, Austin Police Union

 The Austin City Council must decide if it will accept a tentative agreement between the Sanders' family and the city's legal department of $750,000 for the shooting death of Nathaniel Sanders last year.  The Sanders' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit two months later.  Former Austin police officer Leonardo Quintana, who was fired for a separate offense (DWI), shot and killed Sanders outside of an east Austin apartment complex in the early morning hours of May 11, 2009 when Quintana pulled up to the Walnut Creek Apartments.  Sanders was asleep in the back of a car.  When Quintana approached the car, he said Sanders, who was just waking up, reached for a gun in his waistband.  That's when Quintana pulled his gun and fired.

A grand jury did not indict Quintana, but he was suspended from the police department for failing to turn on his dash camera. 

According to KLBJ Radio, the city's legal department offered the tentative settlement Friday.  The president of the police union, Wayne Vincent, believes the settlement sends the wrong message to the people of Austin, and is an unwise use of taxpayer money.

"I would be a little more frugal with the taxpayers money on this, other than just to make things go away," he said.

The council will decide the next course of action on July 29th.

APD Wants Guns for Groceries

The Austin Police Department will exchange guns for vouchers at grocery stores this weekend in East Austin.

The "Guns for Groceries" event aims to get guns off the street and keep them out of the hands of those who might use them to commit violent acts.

Participants will receive grocery vouchers that range in value from $10 for a toy gun, air gun or BB gun to $100 for a handgun or rifle and even $200 for assault weapons. APD asks that unloaded guns be brought in bags, with the ammunition in a separate bag.

Guns can be turned in anonymously and no IDs will be checked; however, the weapons will be checked to see if they may have been used in a crime.

The exchange, funded by the Greater Austin Crime Commission and APD, will happen on Saturday, June 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Austin Cornerstone Church at 1101 Reinli Street, north of Capitol Plaza.


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Police: Man Cheated Woman out of Nearly $11,000, Need Your Help Finding Him

In early May, Austin police sent out an alert to the public to caution people - especially Austin's elderly - about a man who was reported to be cheating people out of thousands of dollars.

In particular, police said an 82 year old woman hired Douglas Carpenter, a so-called "tree man," to mow the lawn and remove a tree from her back yard.  Because of the victim's age, her power of attorney checked in on her bank account, only to learn her client had written Carpenter several checks from February 25 to April 3, totaling $10,974.

But over the two and a half month period, the woman hired an additional person to cut her grass as originally planned, since Carpenter was not doing the work.  According to police, Carpenter may have threatened his victim, scaring her into borrowing money in order to pay the scam artist.  Police said Carpenter told the woman the checks she had written him were no good, and that she needed to pay the money he said was due to him.

Carpenter has been charged with Theft from Elderly, a 3rd Degree Felony.  But the story doesn't end there.  Detectives believe that there may be other victims around, particularly the elderly.  If you are a victim, police ask that you make a police report by calling 512-974-5750.  If you know the
whereabouts of Carpenter, call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 472-TIPS or text
"Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES.

You may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to an arrest or charges being filed.

Bank Robber Makes Oddly Timed Phone Call

Police are seeking a woman who they hope will connect them to the man that robbed a bank a month ago.

The suspect, described as a white male, 6 feet tall and 220 pounds, entered the Comerica Bank at 1701 W. 35th Street and demanded cash. He left on foot, heading southbound on Jefferson Street, with an undisclosed amount of money. No one was injured during the robbery.

Police now say they believe the suspect called a woman before the robbery. She took the call at the nearby Old Timer Clock Shop at 1803 W. 35th Street. Officers would like to find this woman and speak to her to see if she can give them more information about the robbery.

If you have information about the identity of the woman in the video or about the robbery, police ask you to call the Robbery tip line at (512) 974-5092, Crime Stoppers at 472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES.

Austin's Top Cop Turns Down the 'Big D' to Stay Home in Capital City

After more than a month of waiting on word from Dallas city leaders, Austin's police chief announced Tuesday he has decided to stay in the heart of Texas - Austin.

Heart may be the key word here.  Art Acevedo, who's been the top cop in the Capital City since 2007, said his heart is here and he's got plenty of unfinished business left to do.

Late Tuesday night, the tech-savvy, charismatic and politically proficient chief posted a statement to his Facebook wall, which in part said, "Well, I feel like a heavy weight has been lifted.  First, I want to thank all of you your outpouring of support, good thoughts and prayers."

Several weeks ago, news surfaced that Acevedo became a finalist for the Dallas police chief position.  The department's current chief, David Kunkle, is on his way out.  City officials said they planned on having a new chief in place by the time of his last day on the job, which is Friday. 

Austin city manager, Marc Ott, offered Acevedo a raise that would equal $12,000, but Acevedo declined the offer, saying he would like to explore the Dallas position.  Numerous times, Acevedo told reporters he looked forward to the challenges of being the police chief of a large city like Dallas.

Also during the time Acevedo explored Dallas as a potential new employer, a report from Padadena, CA said Acevedo was also a finalist for a police chief position there.  Acevedo continuously denied the reports.

In his online statement, Acevedo thanked the members of his department, the city, and the community for support during the process.  "Lastly, I want to thank the City of Dallas and its leaders for the opportunity to explore this opportunity," he said.

At the end of the day, said Acevedo, Austin was the right choice for him.  There's no place like home.

Team of Public Safety Officers Hits the Gridiron For Kids

The Central Texas Wolf Pack Public Safety Football Team will face off against the Cleveland Warriors Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Toney Burger Activity Center.

The Wolf Pack is part of the National Public Safety Football League. Teams in the league raise money over the course of the season to benefit local charities. The Wolf Pack is a non-profit, semiprofessional football team made up of members of about 15 different public safety agencies in Central Texas, and raises money to support the East Austin Community YMCA. All players are full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, corrections officers, or EMTs. They pay dues to be a part of the team and provide their own equipment.

The money raised helps to support programs that give at-risk kids the opportunity to play in organized athletics. For the season schedule and more information about playing with or sponsoring the team, visit centraltexaswolfpack.com.

Deputy Cleared After Tasering Elderly Woman

Travis County Deputy Constable Christopher Bieze has been cleared of any wrongdoing after he shot a 72-year-old woman with a Taser last May.

A grand jury in the county declined to indict Bieze on a charge of injury to an elderly person. Bieze was captured on his patrol car's dash-cam arguing with Kathryn Winkfein after a speeding stop on Texas Hwy. 71 in western Travis County. Winkfein was shown daring Bieze to use his Taser gun on her.

An internal investigation found that Bieze wasn't in violation of any county policies. He was not disciplined in the incident.