The 286th Judicial District Attorney’s Office is announced the recent acquisition of a significant grant aimed at offsetting the costs associated with the forthcoming capital murder trial of Omar Soto-Chavira.
On July 18, the Texas Governor’s Public Safety Office, acting through its Criminal Justice Division, granted the district attorney’s office a substantial sum of $367,635.42 for the remainder of 2023. The award is subject to adjustment in the event of any additional incurred expenses.
The funding is part of a larger allocation of $1,053,300.00 from the County Essentials Program, designed to provide crucial financial support in tackling the complexities inherent to cases of this nature.
Omar Soto-Chavira, faces indictment by a Hockley Grand Jury, for the capital murder of Lubbock County Sheriff’s SWAT team Sergeant Joshua Bartlett, as well as the attempted capital murder of former Levelland Police Department’s Detective Shawn Wilson in Levelland during 2021.
With the trial’s venue shifted from Hockley to Johnson County, the proceedings are scheduled to commence on September 16, 2024, in Cleburne, Texas. Overman explained that capital murder trials are infrequent but indispensable measures in ensuring justice. However, they often incur substantial expenses.
District Attorney Overman expressed her gratitude for any relief to the financial burden shared by taxpayers in Hockley and Cochran Counties. Additionally, the district attorney is currently in the process of submitting a secondary grant request to secure funding aimed at covering expenses associated with prosecuting another capital murder case.
“Remaining steadfast in our commitment to uphold the principles of justice as stipulated by the laws of the State of Texas, this District Attorney’s Office remains resolute in ensuring that justice is duly served,” stated Overman.