HOUSTON – Congressman Al Green and the family of Joshua Johnson responded Saturday to the jury’s decision to not indict the deputy accused in Johnson’s death. They argued that the evidence and facts of the case should have warranted further criminal charges.
“We have a mountain of evidence in this case, a mountain of facts... And still we had no justice,” said James Hudson, a spokesperson for the Johnson family.
Recommended Videos
Johnson, a Navy veteran, was shot down the street from his parent’s home on East Ritter Circle on April 22, 2020.
According to investigators, Johnson was shot and killed by a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy who was on a stakeout for a suspect in a capital murder from October. Investigators said Johnson was watching the home of a hospitalized neighbor, who lived down the street from his parent’s home when Johnson approached the deputy’s unmarked vehicle.
Investigators said Johnson knocked on the window and showed the undercover deputy a flashlight and a BB gun. Investigators said words were exchanged and then the deputy, later identified as Tu Tran, a 12-year veteran of the HCSO, shot Johnson killing him.
District Attorney Kim Ogg said all evidence was presented to a grand jury from both parties and gave them the opportunity to come forward and testify. Ogg said the jury handed down a “no-bill,” declining to charge anyone with a crime.
Congressman Green and the Johnson family plan to meet with representatives of the DA’s office next Thursday to determine what type of evidence was presented to the jury.
“This is not over,” Green said. “We plan to pursue this. Their son has lost his life. And this is the answer that they get, ‘No bill.’ That’s not enough. We demand more. We will ask for it. We expect to get additional information, which will help us make better decisions about how to proceed with this case.”