I have panic attacks," Chapa said. We have a lot of evidence to still continue to process, he said. A friend said Chapa remembers the night of the shooting. DNA evidence was collected from the bodies at this time. The investigators worked the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Strickland. [16], In 2017, Kristene Chapa filed a lawsuit against David Strickland, his father Larry Joe Strickland, and Taft Pharmacy, the family business, seeking $500 million in damages. 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. Police said Hlavka had been sexually assaulted and strangled with the electric cord from her clock radio.[1]. Orr and prosecutors with the San Patricio County District Attorney's officecould not immediately be reached for comment. The Layton man's home had been burglarized that year by David Strickland, a former friend. Olgin's girlfriend, Kristene Chapa, then 18, survived. 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. Vigils for the women are also scheduled for Friday in Washington, D.C., and Portland, Texas, among other cities. Edward A. Ornelas/San Antonio Express-News, David Strickland, 27, was arrested June 20, 2014, in Helotes. The document also requestedthe results of DNA testing conducted ona pubic hair that was found onChapa's body. Since joining the Houston Chronicle staff in 1998, she has covered various beats, including criminal courts and transportation. It is one day before the two-year anniversary. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene,[3] whilst Chapa was taken to hospital in critical condition. In the days after the attack, police said the women were known to be in a dating relationship but there was no evidence that the attack was motivated by their sexual orientation. The Portland Police Department released this sketch July 4, 2012, in the attack on Mollie Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa. 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. 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. When questioned about the letter, the Layton man noted a photo of him included in the letter had been taken by Strickland's wife Laura. Marshals, Texas Rangers and the police officers from Portland, where the attack occurred, detained Strickland and his wife, Laura Kimberly, 23. [10], David Strickland and his wife Laura Strickland were arrested on June 20, 2014 and held at San Patricio County jail. "I struggle with [post-traumatic stress disorder] and anxiety. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. Ultimately, David Malcolm Strickland was arrested and later found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. 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. My sympathies and condolences go to the victims and their families who had to endure this wicked act of violence.. The investigation is ongoing. Strickland had also inserted himself in the original investigation, talking to investigators and being seen at the crime scene just days after the shooting. "We are confident that we have the person responsible for this horrific crime in custody. Gerald Walter McFadden was born on March 21, 1948, in Haskell County Texas. David Strickland was living in Portland at the time of the shootings and has also lived in Utah and Helotes, police said. "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. 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. Olgin had already died of a gunshot wound to the head, and Chapa was in grave condition but survived to tell about the ordeal. The 2019 Portland crime rate fell by 29% compared to 2018. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Portland Police Chief Randy Wright confirmed the identities of the two girls to local NBC affiliates and to MSNBC. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. A Nov. 13 motion fromSan Patricio County prosecutors argue even if the hair came from the other man, "it does not exonerate" Strickland. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? In August 1986, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for the escape. I want to have my independence back.". McFadden was executed in Texas in October 1999 for the murders of three other women. Carol got started in journalism while teaching English in Poland during martial law. Thats always something that were looking for, but as of this point, we have not been able to establish that that had anything to do with the attack, Wright said. WebPortland police solved a 40-year-old murder case by matching DNA found at the crime scene with data in a public genealogy site. On Jan. 31, police announced that Jerry Walter McFadden of Texas had killed Anna Marie Hlavka in Portland on Jan. 24, 1979. The front door was open, according to the official version of events in the KIII report. Strickland was expected to be transferred to a jail in Sinton, outside of Portland, on Saturday, Giles said. The case garnered national attention and sparked outrage amongst the public, as homophobia initially was suspected to be a motivating factor in the crime. Olgin was pronounced dead at the scene and an unconscious Chapa was taken to a local hospital where she eventually regained consciousness. Portland PD says the investigation is ongoing. While Mollie Olgin died, her girlfriend, Mary Kristene Chapa, miraculously survived. While David Strickland was eventually convicted of the murder, evidence at the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman. Sign up for breaking news alerts from NBC News. When his phone was tracked, records showed that it was present in the locality of the Chapa family residence around the time the letter was delivered. Two young women believed to be in a romantic relationship were apparently shot by a mysterious assailant in Portland, Texas Friday night. The city carved $16 million, or 7%, out of its police budget last year. During her recovery, Chapa worked with police to help identify her shooter. All rights reserved. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The results, Strickland's lawyers argue,reveal it belonged to the other man. Portland, OR 97006 (503) 906-1249; 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]. The letter also included a picture of the accused man along with the words, I was told to deliver this or die. Shell casings collected from the crime scene then matched one of Davids firearms. [15] The appeal was denied in January 2020. 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. More: David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Sign up to have news emailed to you daily, David Strickland's attorney: Impending DNA testing will clear him of Portland Park murder, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Strickland's lawyers said his DNA was found on several items at the park, including cigarette butts and an energy drink can. Received a 911 call from a distraught male who was advising that he needed law enforcement assistance, Portland Police Chief Mark Cory told reporters. Courtesy of Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Seven years after her girlfriend was killed and she was seriously injured in a brutal attack, Kristene Chapa spoke openly to "The View" about testifying against her attacker. We know fromMollies parents that they were close, he said. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. In the last 5 years Portland has seen increasing violent crime and decreasing property crime. Portland, Oregons, homicide rate soared a staggering 1,900% in 2021, with 20 killings, compared with one during the first three months of 2020. 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. Marshals and Texas Rangers in the San Antonio suburb of Helotes, local media reported. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. Roel Garza, 52, allegedly shot and killed wife Jennifer Phillips, 36, and their son Eli Garza, 5. 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. Olgin died from her wounds, but Chapa is currently recovering in a local hospital. [12][13], On September 28, 2016, a San Patricio County jury found David Strickland guilty of capital murder and aggravated sexual assault. Carol Christian reports on breaking news for chron.com. Strickland was sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2016. 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. 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. Sister Peggy Ritual and Jason Haas share a moment of silence at a vigil. The chief described the fathers preliminary actions in general terms. Samantha Garrett, Olgins roommate, said that the couple had not received any threats or hateful remarks about their new relationship. Portland police have not provided details about how Strickland was linked to the case. The teenagers were shot execution-style and left for dead in a park in Portland, Texas. 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. [10], Laura Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence. 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. [8], Shortly before trial, George Koumbis, a local gun store owner and the husband of a defense witness, was murdered in his own store in an apparent robbery-gone-wrong. So, lets find out what happened to David then, shall we? 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. [6], In 2018, advances in testing technology allowed for DNA identification of a hair found on Chapa's body. More:Could David Strickland be exonerated in 2012 Portland double shooting? A psychologist also concluded in 2009 that David had hallucinations and suicidal ideations. Chapa suffered tunnel vision and lost part of her mobility. About 50 people attended a candle light vigil held for Mollie Judith Olgin and Mary Kristene Chapa Friday June 29, 2012 at Woodlawn Lake. PORTLAND, Texas Portland police confirm a double-homicide suicide took place early Saturday morning. To the case, eventually arresting the culprit, David Malcolm Strickland was arrested June,! At the crime scene initially implicated Dylan Spellman Strickland was charged with tampering with evidence Ritual and Haas. Whilst Chapa was taken to a jail in Sinton, outside of Portland, Texas, among other cities was! Sinton, outside of Portland, Texas, among other cities a friend said remembers! 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