GUILTY TX - Haruka Weiser, 18, found murdered, UT-Austin campus, 3 April 2016 *Arrest*

[Steleheart]

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/unsealed-search-warrants-confirm-account-of-weisers-death/204304693

"In the unsealed documents, a witness told police that the blue duffle bag recovered was the same bag Weiser had with her the night she was murdered.
During their search through the gray and yellow backpack, detectives also found a pair of white latex gloves, which was sent in for testing."

 

[0101ABA]

A 17-year-old runaway from Texas’ foster care system has been indicted on a capital murder charge in the death of a University of Texas freshman who disappeared as she walked toward her dorm in April.

The Travis County grand jury indictment, released Friday, accuses Meechaiel Criner of robbing, kidnapping, strangling and sexually assaulting Haruka Weiser of Portland, Oregon. Criner faces up to life in prison if convicted, but isn’t eligible for the death penalty because he’s under 18.

http://www.winknews.com/2016/06/10/teen-runaway-indicted-on-murder-charge-in-texas-killing/

 

[i.b.nora]

Criner’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 8.

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/201...dicted-for-capital-murder-of-ut-student.html/

 

[strawberry]

http://katu.com/news/local/teen-acc...ruka-wiser-pleads-not-guilty-meechaiel-criner

Meechaiel Criner is accused of sexually assaulting Weiser before strangling her. Criner, who is facing murder charges, will plead not guilty Friday.

 

[dotr]

http://kxan.com/2016/06/10/meechaiel-criner-indicted-for-capital-murder-of-ut-student/
June 10 2016

Recent capital murder changes benefit Criner

Typically, there are only two punishment options for a capital murder conviction: Death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.

However, some recent law changes are working in favor of Meechaeil Criner if he is ultimately convicted in the murder of Haruka Weiser.

When Weiser was killed, Criner was three months short of his 18th birthday. In Texas, 17-year-olds are treated as adults in the criminal justice system with the one key exception being death penalty cases. In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the death penalty could not be given to anyone under the age of 18. As a result, capital murder convicts 17-years-old and younger received an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.

 

[mickey2942]

Three months shy of his 18th birthday. Has there been investigation into any other crimes he may have committed? This seemed to be pretty advanced for a first time killing. He was prepared.

 

[OkieGranny]

http://kxan.com/2016/07/07/ut-homicide-suspect-to-plead-not-guilty-friday/

Meechaiel Criner, the suspect charged with capital murder in the killing of University of Texas at Austin freshman Haruka Weiser in April, was expected to plead not guilty on Friday. However, a new court date has been set for Sept. 22 after a plea was not entered...

According to his attorney, Criner has not received his mental evaluation yet. The court is still waiting on Child Protective Services to hand over all of his medical records before they can conduct the evaluation.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

UT urged to ban homeless people from campus

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3767685/Texas-reduce-campus-transients-slaying.html

 

[0101ABA]

The trial for the man accused of killing Beaverton native Haruka Weiser earlier this year may be stalled.

(...)


The state told defense attorneys they are waiting for DNA found on her body to be processed, but the lab in Austin is temporarily closed due to a number of issues, including not following protocols.

http://kval.com/news/local/trial-fo...beaverton-native-haruka-weiser-may-be-stalled

 

[watergirl62]

*bump*

Still waiting on DNA.

A February pretrial court date for the suspect in the murder of theater and dance freshman Haruka Weiser has been pushed back to March, just four days before he is scheduled to stand trial.

Criner is scheduled to appear in court again on March 23.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/201...te-for-ut-murder-suspect-pushed-back-to-march

 

[0101ABA]

DA: No plea deal for man accused in Haruka Weiser murder

Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore will not offer a plea deal to a teen accused in the death of a University of Texas freshman nearly a year ago, she has told the American-Statesman.

In an interview, Moore said she thinks it is necessary to take 18-year-old Meechaiel Criner to trial in the death of Haruka Weiser, who was found dead on the campus in April.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

DA: No plea deal for man accused in Haruka Weiser murder

Good - this doesn't deserve a plea deal!

 

[Juststonelegal]

This is great news! I was really hoping they wouldn't offer any type of plea for him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[PastTense]

he trial of the man accused of killing University of Texas student Haruka Weiser is set for this fall, and both the prosecution and defense say they do not anticipate any further delays.
Meechaiel Criner’s trial originally was slated for March 27, but a holdup with DNA testing forced state district Judge David Wahlberg to move it to Oct. 2. Barring any unforeseen snags, there will be no more postponements.

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/cri...student-haruka-weiser/EMdfAxj4HM1RetSn55F1NI/

One year after her death, the ongoing response to the killing of Haruka Weiser at UT has been multifaceted.

The implementation of recommendations from a DPS report on UT campus safety remains a long-term project.

Officials hope an awareness campaign empowers students to think more about their safety.

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/loc...h-grief-leads-changes/z2tUljiIFBHr9HiqjSPGdJ/

A year after the murder of a first-year theater and dance student on the University of Texas campus, students and staff plan to hold a memorial service for the slain victim.

On April 5, 2016, Haruka Weiser's body was found in Waller Creek on campus just west of the Alumni Center.

http://www.kvue.com/news/local/ut-t...uka-weiser-one-year-after-her-death/426222446

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

As trial date nears, Meechaiel Criner’s defense spar over jury questions - July 6th

Criner’s attorney Ariel Payan said the attorneys are trying to come to an agreement on the questions they want to give their jury pool prior to having them sit on the case.

“We’ve provided a sample questionnaire we hope the state will agree to, and we’re going to meet with them again next week or the week after and try to come to a conclusion,” Payan said. He added that the questionnaire currently has around 25 questions, but he imagines more will be added soon.

Because of the media exposure this case has received, the trial will require a larger-than-normal jury pool, Payan said. He expects jury selection will go for about two days, starting with two pools of around 80 potential jurors.

New safety changes on UT campus after student's death

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Lawyers for man suspected of killing Haruka Weiser will ask judge to throw out DNA results

http://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/lawyers-for-man-suspected-killing-haruka-weiser-will-ask-judge-throw-out-dna-results/AvQGOjW1DKfW6UosHNb2tL/

Defense attorney Ariel Payan said the Department of Public Safety may have made errors when conducting a new DNA test. But even if the test was done properly, Payan said he has concerns about whether the approach is legally viable.

At a Sept. 11 hearing, they plan to ask a Travis County judge to throw out the results.

The trial was recently rescheduled from October 2nd to October 30th.

 

[watergirl62]

From December 11, 2017:

Meechaiel Criner Trial

Meechaiel Khalil Criner’s trail is set to begin Feb. 26. Criner was indicted last June on a charge of capital murder in connection to the death of UT dance freshman Haruka Weiser by a Travis County grand jury. The indictment accused Criner of sexually assaulting Weiser and killing her by strangulation, as well as other offenses including attempted kidnapping and robbery. If convicted, Criner will automatically be sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 40 years.

http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2017/12/11/looking-forward

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Lawyers waiting for DNA test results in Haruka Weiser murder case

http://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/lawyers-waiting-for-dna-test-results-haruka-weiser-murder-case/glyrYn2XING4CXmMLPImBP/

Lawyers are awaiting the results of DNA testing before proceeding with a defense motion to argue that the results should be tossed out because the test was flawed. That hearing will likely happen in May, according to defense attorney Ariel Payan.

The parties will meet again for a status hearing on March 21.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Murder weapon in UT strangulation won’t be altered for DNA testing

https://www.statesman.com/news/crime--law/murder-weapon-strangulation-won-altered-for-dna-testing/BVfzTyel5FASq5WilBLatI/

The defense for Meechaiel Criner had requested to cut open knots on a nylon strap that investigators said Criner used to strangle Haruka Weiser. Wahlberg declined their request, suggesting that they find a different method to test inside of the knots.

 

[JusticeWillBeServed]

Attorney for UT murder suspect challenges state's new DNA analysis

During a pre-trial hearing for Meechaiel Criner, who is charged with the capital murder of UT student Haruka Weiser, the discussion has turned to a debate over a new DNA testing method used in this case and whether the results should be permitted as evidence.

Attorneys Darla Davis and Ariel Payan are representing Criner. Payan told KXAN that the defense plans to challenge a new software the state is using for DNA analysis.

On Monday, Judge David Wahlberg heard from the state, who feel the new STRMix testing used by the Department of Public Safety to test DNA profiles is scientifically valid.