MAN CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING BURLESON CO. JAILERS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
A man pled guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Public Servant and Assault on a Public Servant and was sentenced to Life in Prison by Judge Carson Campbell Wednesday. Defendant Jose Angel Morales, Jr. was charged with assaulting two Burleson County Jailers while in their custody.
Judge Carson Campbell ordered that a sentencing hearing be held. At that hearing, the Court heard testimony from Corporal Garrett Brown and Jesse Rupp, both Burleson County jailers at the time, about the initial September 5, 2021 incident in the jail. In addition, the Court heard from expert witness Jay Coons about the dangerousness of the choke hold that Jesse Rupp was put in by the defendant and the risks associated with the attack on Corporal Brown to Jail safety. Evidence was also introduced by Sergeant Albin Horak and Corporal Randy Pedroza regarding other incidents in the Burleson County Jail.
After the hearing, Judge Carson Campbell sentenced Jose Morales to Life with parole in prison for the Aggravated Assault and 20 years in prison for the Assault on a Public Servant. Morales will have to serve 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
Original Press Release:
JOSE ANGEL MORALES, JR.
SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON
FOR ASSAULTING TWO BURLESON COUNTY JAILERS
On January 18, 2022, a jury was ready to be chosen in the 21st Judicial District Court of Burleson County, Texas. Defendant Jose Angel Morales, Jr. chose instead to plead guilty to Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon on a Public Servant and Assault on a Public Servant, and elected for the Judge to assess punishment. Both counts in Cause #16,254 included an enhancement paragraph for a prior prison sentence. Judge Carson Campbell accepted the plea, ordered a pre-trial sentence investigation and sentencing was set for March 30, 2022. Morales was facing 15 to Life on Count I and 2 – 20 years on Count II.
At the sentencing hearing, Defense Counsel Ned Turnbull and Ricardo Galvan of Houston represented Morales. County Attorney Susan Deski and Assistant County Attorney John Brennan represented the State. The Court heard testimony from Corporal Garrett Brown and Jesse Rupp, both Burleson County jailers at the time, about the initial September 5, 2021 incident in the jail. In addition, the Court heard from expert witness Jay Coons about the dangerousness of the choke hold that Jesse Rupp was put in by the defendant and the risks associated with the attack on Corporal Brown to Jail safety. Evidence was also introduced by Sergeant Albin Horak and Corporal Randy Pedroza regarding other incidents in the Burleson County Jail. The Court heard evidence from Brazos County Jail Officer Rashawn Young and Brazos County Deputy Enrique Padron regarding an incident that occurred between the defendant and jail staff in the Brazos County Jail on March 20, 2022. Bryan Police Department Detective Kyle Cottle testified regarding the defendant’s gang affiliation. Assistant Chief of Juvenile Probation Brandon Borski testified about Morales juvenile record, and Deputy Edwards of BCSO, testified as to his interactions with Morales as the Crisis Intervention Officer.
On behalf of the defendant, Dr. Cantu testified regarding the history of mental health issues of the defendant and possibilities for his future. Attorney Rodger Nichols, a parole attorney out of Austin, testified regarding the likelihood of the defendant to see parole.
After hearing the evidence and argument from both sides, Judge Carson Campbell sentenced Jose Morales to Life with parole in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for the Aggravated Assault and 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for the Assault on a Public Servant.
Morales will have to serve 30 years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
Both Brennan and Deski have said “This sends a clear message that assaults on our Law Enforcement Community will not be tolerated. These fine men and women work hard to keep all of us safe. They too should have the same degree of protection.”