GUILTY TX - Deputy Darren Goforth, 47, fatally shot, Harris County, 28 Aug 2015

[LinasK]

DA Anderson was asked about SM's felony charges related to the possession of the gun. She deferred, saying they are looking into the disposition of the felony charge. I think more charges may be coming-- esp since he had a prior charge of something like brandishing a gun.

IMO, this guy successfully avoided prison for a very long time, despite a pretty regular pattern of criminal activity. I don't think he should have been allowed to own or carry a gun.

I'm pretty sure that now he will never have to worry about owning or carrying a gun ever again.

IMO, the only way this man will ever leave custody is in a coffin. He will be in custody for the rest of his life, however long that is, and no matter the eventual cause of his death. He's done. His life is over, IMO.

I don't even think he would be allowed to plead guilty and plea this down to a life sentence. There is just too much objective evidence we know of already.

Especially not when you kill a cop, and especially not in Texas. Cops don't take kindly to cop killers, and Texas won't hesitate to carry out the Death Penalty. This is one murder they can't say there isn't a video for. Don't Mess With Texas!

 

[al66pine]

MSM* says Miles fired 15 shots total.
From this https://us.glock.com/products/model/g22, appears model .40 Glocks have a 15 round capacity as standard, or if model has lower capacity as std, then optional larger capacity mag is available for ea (if I'm interp'ing link chart correctly).

IIRC, someone upthread posted that SM shot the deputy, then inserted a new magazine to reload at scene, then continued firing at deputy on ground.

But per above Glock link, shooter did not necessarily reload at scene to continue firing.

Several posts up ~168, K_Z, made excellent point - when LE located gun, ~ 5 hrs later, it was already reloaded (w same kind of ammo), meaning shooter was not too scared, shaken, or nervous afterward to reload. Tells us something about his mindset.


__________________________________________________
* "The alleged gunman who murdered a Texas deputy unleashed 15 shots at close range, emptying the entire magazine of his .40 caliber pistol and another bullet loaded in the chamber as he stood over the dead cop, according to Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson." bbm
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/08/3...but-suspect-mom-says-has-alibi/?intcmp=hplnws Aug31

 

[K_Z]

TX Governor orders flags lowered to half staff for Officer Darren Goforth

[video=youtube;RGebRy9FeRM]https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=11&v=RGebRy9FeRM[/video]

 

[LinasK]

Yes. So we choose to call LE rely on our alarms. We dont live that life. It breaks my heart so many do and so many of my Family.

My home was broken into 3 months ago, and I still will NEVER live with a gun!!! We chose a burglar alarm, a huge safe, we have LE's number handy, and we have a baseball bat,knives, pepper spray, and a large dog. Guns make me feel less safe rather than more, I made my husband get rid of his gun when he moved in with me. I gave him an ultimatum- his gun or me, but he wouldn't force me to live with a gun- that was a deal breaker. He chose me!!!

 

[bessie]

Open for posting again.

We've received requests to re-open this thread because of new developments. Please update with news links.

Thanks.

 

[MsFacetious]

The murder case for Texas police officer Darren Goforth has now become a strange sort of love triangle — with a homicide investigator admitting he had an affair with Goforth’s alleged mistress after she witnessed the cop’s slaying.

Harris County Sheriff’s Office investigator Craig Clopton said he had consensual sex with the woman “during the ongoing criminal investigation” into Goforth’s murder, according to court documents obtained by KTRK.

Less than an hour after the station’s story went up, the sheriff’s office removed Clopton from the case.

------------------

Years ago, Sgt. Clopton was prominently featured in the TV series "48 Hours," which follows officers in the early stages of homicide investigations. He is married and has two children, according to his biography on the show's website.

"All of my spare time I try to devote to quality time with my family," he says on the site.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/investigator-texas-killing-sex-mistress-article-1.2393732


Miles' attorney is asking questions about how the woman who claimed to be having an affair with Goforth was handled the night of the shooting. An eyewitness shared s photo of her from that night. It shows her at the crime scene and distraught.

Defense attorney Anthony Osso wants to talk to anyone in law enforcement who talked to her that night. Who told her to leave the scene of the murder or why?

"We want to know who spoke to her, who instructed her, if anyone instructed her to leave the scene or transported her from the scene. We want to know about it," Osso told Eyewitness News.

The alleged mistress is central to the defense right now because if Goforth was there to meet her, Osso argues, the deputy wasn't officially on duty. Therefore, Miles charge should be downgraded.

http://abc13.com/news/questions-arise-about-treatment-of-admitted-mistress-in-goforth-case/1056072/


On Monday, Judge Denise Collins recused herself from the Goforth murder case. The reason for the judge's decision is not known.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/fight-over-evidence-in-deputy-darren-goforth-murder-case/35969424


New court documents revealed the probable motive in the deadly shooting of Harris County sheriff's deputy Darren Goforth on Monday.

Prosecutors said Shannon Miles is accused of shooting Goforth in retaliation for being a law enforcement officer, and no other reason.

Miles was indicted Monday by a Harris County grand jury on a capital murder charge.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/m...ly-shooting-of-deputy-darren-goforth/36614064

 

[Ragamuffin]

Honestly, I'm confused. There is clear video evidence of Mr Miles shooting Deputy Goforth. This nasty mess of affairs is shame on these men and women who were involved, but how does this affect the case?

Is it a defense tactic to argue for a lower charge? Which is obviously well within their rights, but I can't see how a murder on camera is in any way affected by the adultery of anyone involved.

I understand the argument about whether he was/wasn't on duty. But is there a real difference in sentencing if he was/wasn't? Asking genuinely.

 

[AuntB]

The defendant executed a LEO specifically because he was law enforcement, but wants lower charges because his victim was possibly off-duty? Bizarre. The defendant should have to prove that he didn't realize he was murdering a deputy sheriff. JMHO

 

[yorick]

The defendant executed a LEO specifically because he was law enforcement, but wants lower charges because his victim was possibly off-duty? Bizarre. The defendant should have to prove that he didn't realize he was murdering a deputy sheriff. JMHO

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong: The indictment alleges that he killed Goforth because he was a LEO, which I believe is possibly just a prosecution strategy. I don't believe it means the killer confessed that was the reason.

The defense has to do their defense thing. If he wasn't on duty and if he wasn't really targeted for being an LEO, then I guess it warrants a lesser charge, whether we agree or not.

 

[bluesneakers]

Deputy Goforth's Accused Killer's Competency Still Under Evaluation

Shannon Miles, the man accused of killing Deputy Darren Goforth, did not appear in court today, as his competency to stand trial is still being evaluated.
...
no one on Miles' defense teams say they've been able to have a real conversation with him.

The attorney went on to say Miles has mental health issues. The formal arraignment for Miles has been pushed back to January 13 while the issue of competency is worked out.

 

[BrownRice]

Clever strategy on the part of the defense atty. Not saying I completely agree with it, but I see where he's going with it.

On another point, I feel horrible for the wife and kids. I remember when this first came out, she was referring to her slain husband as her best friend for life, such a loyal spouse, etc. I can't imagine the shame and anger she must feel towards him. And for the kids too.

 

[bluesneakers]

Defense says accused gunman in Goforth shooting incompetent to stand trial

A Houston man accused of fatally shooting a Harris County Sheriff's Deputy is schizophrenic with episodes of psychosis, lawyers for the accused gunman said Monday.

Attorney Anthony Osso said mental health experts he hired have determined that Shannon Miles is not able to aid in his own defense. Osso also said that Miles has a history of mental incompetency.

The next step, Osso said, is for state District Judge Susan Brown to appoint an independent mental health expert to review the defense contention that the 31-year-old is mentally incompetent.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong: The indictment alleges that he killed Goforth because he was a LEO, which I believe is possibly just a prosecution strategy. I don't believe it means the killer confessed that was the reason.

The defense has to do their defense thing. If he wasn't on duty and if he wasn't really targeted for being an LEO, then I guess it warrants a lesser charge, whether we agree or not.

I think the killer said it was revenge for the Michael Brown killing if I'm not mistaken. But I think killing a cop at a gas station while waiting for your mother whom is in a nearby store would pretty much say that the guy is wacko.

Btw. If I got the case confused then sorry in advance.

 

[bluesneakers]

I think the killer said it was revenge for the Michael Brown killing if I'm not mistaken. But I think killing a cop at a gas station while waiting for your mother whom is in a nearby store would pretty much say that the guy is wacko.

Btw. If I got the case confused then sorry in advance.

I don't remember the Michael Brown part but the rest is right.

When I went to check for a Brown connection I found this, which is what the lawyer must mean by an earlier case.

In 2012, Miles was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection to an incident in which he attacked a man at an Austin homeless shelter over control of a television remote. He was found mentally incompetent to stand trial and was sent to North Texas State Hospital for six months, after which a second evaluation found him to be mentally competent.

However, the charge was dropped after authorities could not find the assault victim

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Darren_Goforth


Does that mean three years ago he spent six months in a State Hospital and then they just sent him on his way once he was deemed competent? I have a feeling that's what happened, and something similar will happen this time.

It sucks for everyone.

 

[DexterMorgan]

I don't remember the Michael Brown part but the rest is right.

When I went to check for a Brown connection I found this, which is what the lawyer must mean by an earlier case.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Darren_Goforth


Does that mean three years ago he spent six months in a State Hospital and then they just sent him on his way once he was deemed competent? I have a feeling that's what happened, and something similar will happen this time.

It sucks for everyone.

Thanks Blues. I also found the shopping with mom alibi which she stated at first.

The mother of a man arrested over the killing of a Texas sheriff's deputy insists her son could not have done it - because he was shopping with her at the time.

Darren Goforth, of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, was shot dead in a 'cold-blooded execution' as he filled up his patrol car at a Houston gas station Friday evening.

Shannon J. Miles, whose lengthy criminal history includes firearms offenses, has been jailed and charged with capital murder.*

But Miles' mother has claimed her 30-year-old son cannot have carried out the killing because they were out on a shopping trip together when the shooting unfolded.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ty-gas-station-insists-not-shopping-time.html

 

[bluesneakers]

Thanks Blues. I also found the shopping with mom alibi which she stated at first.

The mother of a man arrested over the killing of a Texas sheriff's deputy insists her son could not have done it - because he was shopping with her at the time.

Darren Goforth, of the Harris County Sheriff's Office, was shot dead in a 'cold-blooded execution' as he filled up his patrol car at a Houston gas station Friday evening.

Shannon J. Miles, whose lengthy criminal history includes firearms offenses, has been jailed and charged with capital murder.*

But Miles' mother has claimed her 30-year-old son cannot have carried out the killing because they were out on a shopping trip together when the shooting unfolded.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...ty-gas-station-insists-not-shopping-time.html

She probably thought they were going to kill her son and that was the first thing she thought of. Not helping, MOM.

It looks like the BLM stuff came from the Sheriff and not from Miles. I wonder if he had enough going on to even know what was going on in the world.

Shopping. Come ON Mom.

 

[DexterMorgan]

She probably thought they were going to kill her son and that was the first thing she thought of. Not helping, MOM.

It looks like the BLM stuff came from the Sheriff and not from Miles. I wonder if he had enough going on to even know what was going on in the world.

Shopping. Come ON Mom.

Lol. Old mama's baby wouldn't hurt a fly. But now it's. I've been trying to get him mental help since 2nd grade.

Go figure. Now I can sympathize with mom since she is a victim too. But she almost started a riot with that he was shopping with me crap and they are just picking on my son mess. Jmo

 

[bluesneakers]

Source: Court orders psychiatric evaluation for man accused of killing HCSO deputy Goforth

Sources told KPRC 2 News, the court will examine Miles’ psychiatric evaluation on Feb. 9 and has set a new arraignment date for Miles next week.

For some reason I thought this had already been done.

 

[popsicle]

[h=1]Man Accused of Killing Deputy Ruled Incompetent[/h]
"He's schizophrenic and episodically psychotic," Osso told reporters after a brief hearing Tuesday.
After Miles is in the hospital for 120 days, he will be evaluated again to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

 

[bluesneakers]

[h=1]Man Accused of Killing Deputy Ruled Incompetent[/h]
"He's schizophrenic and episodically psychotic," Osso told reporters after a brief hearing Tuesday.
After Miles is in the hospital for 120 days, he will be evaluated again to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

That's not a surprise. I don't think much will change in another 120 days but in the meantime he's at least being cared for and kept away from other people.