The women had been sexually assaulted and shot in the head around midnight the previous evening. Sentenced to 15 years in prison in 1973 for two counts of rape. (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. In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. "GLAAD: Supporters rally and call for #justice4krisandmollie", "Texas Lesbian Couple: Survivor Remembers Night of Shooting", "Two Years Later, Arrests Have Finally Been Made in the Corpus Christi Shooting of A Teenage Lesbian Couple", "Same-Sex Teen Couple Shot: Texas Rangers investigating shooting of Mollie Olgin and Mary Chapa", "Brother of lesbian teen shot in head: She's 'fighting', "Verdict reached 4 years after deadly attack on TX lesbian teen couple", "Same-Sex Teen Couple Shooting: New sketch of suspect released in Texas attack", "Couple who found victims at Portland park testify", "Arrest Affidavit Details Link Between David Strickland, Portland Shootings", "accused-killer-in-portland-shooting-falsely-confessed-expert-says", "jury-watches-video-of-shooting-survivors-photo-lineup", "Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012", "Shooting survivor Kristene Chapa files $500 million lawsuit", "Texas attack survivor's multimillion-dollar lawsuit against David Strickland gets pre-trial hearing", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Mollie_Olgin&oldid=1133689494, Violence against LGBT people in the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 January 2023, at 01:52. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparently shot by a mysterious assailant in Portland, Texas Friday night. A friend said Chapa remembers the night of the shooting. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. U.S. Strickland's appealis still making it's way through the legal system. It was written from the perspective of a hitman who claimed that someone from Layton, Utah, was responsible for the attacks and had wanted Kristene dead. Marshals Service Lone Star Fugitive Task Force for help in finding and apprehending the couple. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. Olgin, 19, and her girlfriend Chapa, 18, were found shot in the head Saturday in a Portland, Tx park. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. Portland police say they don't know the motive for the shooting Friday night that killed 19-year-old Mollie Olgin and wounded 18-year-old Mary Kristene Chapa in Violet Andrews Park. A vigil will also be held in San Fransisco, a city well known for its support of gay rights. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. 0:59 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. 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. [7], In January 2019, McFadden was linked by DNA via GEDmatch to the July 24, 1979 murder of Anna Marie Hlavka; Anna was found dead by her sister inside her apartment. In a Nov. 30 motion that was previously sealed, Strickland's attorney Cynthia Orr argues a different man whose DNA was found at thescene and on the surviving victimis 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 incident was premeditated. [emailprotected]. 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While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Orr and prosecutors with the San Patricio County District Attorney's officecould not immediately be reached for comment. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. A series of fortunate events has led us to this point and I'm just very happy that we could help in at least at this point in bringing him to justice., Hes a stone cold killer who thought he got away with murder, but will finally pay for his crime, said Robert R. Almonte, United States Marshal for the Western District of Texas. KRIS 6 News obtained the almost 20 second audio clip of the police call to Portland PD, but some of it was inaudible. 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. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. He called 911 on Saturday at about 1:30 a.m., but he did not reveal much, cops said, according to KIII-TV. Paroled in December 1978. Later on, David even confessed to the crime, saying he attacked Mollie and Kristene because they were mean to his wife, who was a server at a restaurant. 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 letter also included a picture of the accused man along with the words, I was told to deliver this or die. Please keep us in your prayers.. They said incidents like this are rare, with the last being five years ago. All rights reserved. See our subscription options and special offers at Caller.com/subscribe. Gerald "Jerry" Walter McFadden (March 21, 1948 October 14, 1999), known as The Animal, was an American serial killer and sex offender who was executed in 1999.[6]. Mollie, 19, suffered a gunshot wound to the neck and was pronounced dead on the scene. ", More: Sign up to have news emailed to you daily. 5-year-old dead after double homicide-suicide in Portland. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. She has recovered those abilities but was still recently undergoing physical rehabilitation. The following morning, a couple discovered the bodies of the two women in knee-high grass near a scenic lookout in the park, police said. The document also requestedthe results of DNA testing conducted ona pubic hair that was found onChapa's body. His sentence will automatically be appealed. 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. A crime scene investigator photographs evidence at the end of a sidewalk, June 23, 2012 at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas, where Mollie Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, were killed. Marshal Christopher Bozeman, a spokesman for the Marshals Service in San Antonio, said it took the team a little over two hours to find the Stricklands in an apartment in the 12000 block of Bandera Road in Helotes, about 25 miles northwest of San Antonio. More:Could David Strickland be exonerated in 2012 Portland double shooting? Ive been trying to think of anybody I know that would try and hurt them for any reason, Garrett said, and not one person comes to mind.. 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. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. Kristene Chapa, 19, in her bedroom at the Chapa residence on June 11, 2013 in Corpus Christi, Texas. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. Jess and Jules Diliberto embrace during a vigil. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. It was sufficient evidence for the jury, and, regardless of the veracity of this alleged DNA test results is still sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction," the motion states. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. According to police, around 1:30 a.m., a man called 911 and told officers he was distraught and to go to Escondido St. [8] In October 1999, he was executed in the Huntsville Unit by lethal injection. [12][14][15], Attorneys for Strickland filed a motion for his conviction to be overturned based on the newfound DNA evidence, which District Attorney Sam Smith dismissed on an updated episode of Dateline. Police were led to David Strickland in 2014 after Chapa's father received an anonymous letter containing information about the crime not released to the public. Court document: David Strickland denied appeal in killing of Mollie Olgin in 2012, Defense: New DNA results exonerate man convicted in 2012 double shooting in Portland, 'Truth About Murder with Sunny Hostin' episode about 2012 Portland attack of teens to air, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Authorities didn't investigate the fatal attack as a hate crime even though the incident happened during Pride weekend. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene and an unconscious Chapa was taken to a local hospital where she eventually regained consciousness. Police have not identified any suspects or announced any arrests. They followed my story since day one and I want to thank everybody for that.". Then, he took it back. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparentlyshot by a mysterious assailantin Portland, Texas Friday night. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. A resident of a nearby home said that she heard two loud bangs the night of the events, but discounted the sounds as firecrackers. McFadden raped and strangled Harrison and dumped her body in a park about 25 miles (40km) from Lake Hawkins. December 17, 2021 In June 2012, a young teenage couple was found shot in a park in Portland, Texas. She is charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the 2012 attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. Carol got started in journalism while teaching English in Poland during martial law. [8] The letter accused a Layton, Utah, man of the murder of Olgin; police found that the man had an alibi. Messages left by NBC News seeking comment from Chapa and her family werent immediately returned. (AP Photo/Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Michael Zamora). In June 2012, Mollie Olgin and her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, were bound, sexually assaulted and shot in the head at Violet Andrews Park in Portland before their bodies were found by bird watchers. Julie Pousson (left) cries during a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. Thanks everyone for the texts, messages, and calls but my family and I are just kinda in shock and just shook up, Chapa wrote on Facebook after the arrest was made. WebMollie Olgin was a 19-year-old woman murdered on June 22, 2012 in Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas after she and her girlfriend were attacked and shot. We have a lot of evidence to still continue to process, he said. The chief described the mother as struck multiple times in the head., We had four officers on scene, and it was rough on them, Cory 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. He is charged with capital murder, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in the 2012 attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. Corpus Christi police concluded that the robbery was targeted. Dispatch attempted to get more information from him, police said. [15] The appeal was denied in January 2020. David M. Strickland, 27, and his wife, Laura K. Strickland, 23, were arrested June 20 at their home in Helotes in the San Antonio area. But he could smile at my family and taunt them," she continued. Courtesy of Bexar County Sheriff's Office. People run under a giant rainbow flag after a vigil for Mollie Judith Olgin, 19, and Mary Kristene Chapa, 18, at Cal Anderson Park on Friday, June 29, 2012. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Angela Weddle carries a sign during the Pride Bigger Than Texas Parade held Saturday June 30, 2012. The chief described the fathers preliminary actions in general terms. WebCrime rate in Portland, TX The 2019 crime rate in Portland, TX is 110 (City-Data.com crime index), which is 2.4 times lower than the U.S. average. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole, but the new Dateline episode suggests new DNA evidence could prove someone else was to blame. Kristene Chapa's girlfriend died from the 2012 attack. 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. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. IE 11 is not supported. There were some measures taken by the suspect Mr. Garza earlier in the evening in preparatory of this double homicide, Cory told reporters, according to KRIS-TV. In May, Strickland'sattorneyCynthia Orr,Fort Worth lawyer Michael Logan Ware and Barry Scheck of the Innocence Project signed afiling for a proposed order requestingaccess to physical evidence, records and results ofDNA testing, hair and trace evidence, jail phone calls andrecorded interviews of the other man. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Just come now, Roel Garza said in 911 audio obtained by KRIS-TV. A man murdered his wife and young son, made a cryptic 911 call and died by suicide, according to police in Portland, Texas. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. Chapa was also sexually assaulted. Mollie Judith Olgin, a 19 year old student at Texas A&M, was declared dead; Mary Christine Chapa, 18, was taken to a nearby hospital where she is said to be in serious but stable condition. I stared at him, right, whenever I was testifying, and not one look. Dateline originally aired an episode on the case in 2017 after a San Patricio County Judge found David Strickland, a Portland, Texas, man, guilty of capital 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. Police say Garza did not have any prior history of violence. PORTLAND, Texas A husband, wife and their five-year-old son are dead after a murder suicide in the City of Portland, according to police. These items were turned over to investigators in the Olgin case. 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