JUDGE RULES FORMER CRIME STOPPERS CHAIR DOES NOT HAVE TO TURN OVER TIP INFO
DEANS STEPPING DOWN FROM CRIME STOPPERS AFTER LEGAL BATTLE
The now-former chair of Brenham Washington County Crime Stoppers, who was detained at the Washington County Jail after not releasing details of an anonymous tip, says a judge has ruled in his favor on the matter.
On Thursday, a judge said John Deans will not have to turn over the tip to defense lawyers in a child sexual assault case, ruling that the tip did not contain exculpatory evidence for the defendant.
Deans said he is pleased with the outcome.
Deans received a subpoena from Conroe-based defense attorney Brian Burns, representing Terry Dale Stegmann, Jr. of Brenham, to appear in 21st District Court in late February. Deans was held in contempt of court by Judge Carson Campbell after refusing to provide any content from a tip submitted to his organization regarding the case.
Deans was sentenced to 180 days in the Washington County Jail, without the possibility of bond. According to Deans, Justice of the Peace Douglas Zwiener told him his sentence would be cycled 10 days at a time for 180 days unless he decided to give over the tip. After a day in jail, Deans gave the tip to the judge.
Two months later, Deans would return to court Thursday morning for a hearing with the judge and the defense team’s three lawyers, where the judge stated the tip would not go to the defense and would be returned to Crime Stoppers.
The organization is now searching for a new chair, as Deans has stepped down from the post as a result of the legal proceedings.
Deans said he is the first Crime Stoppers official to be put in jail in the history of the state of Texas. He said he was kept in a cell by himself for his protection, adding that he was treated very well by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.