State vs. Carlos Estrada
Murder
Lead: Nadin-Sarah Salkic
2nd Chair: Emily Antram
DA Investigator: John Valdez
DA Paralegal: Patzy Butler
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department/Det. Adam Thayer
On December 7, 2023, the defendant was hanging out with the victim and an eyewitness when the defendant grabbed an axe that was in the yard and proceeded to brutally murder the victim by chopping and striking him with the axe. The defendant did this in front of the eyewitness who tried to stop the attack but eventually had to flee in fear for his own life. The medical examiner testified as to the brutality of this attack and that the victim would have been dead within seconds. The eyewitness testified that the victim did not even see it coming as he was texting on his phone when the defendant struck him.
After the murder, the defendant picked up the victim and carried him into the trailer that was parked in the driveway of the home. He wrapped up the victim’s body like a pretzel and dumped him inside together with the murder weapon. He then proceeded to flee the scene. As the eyewitness ran from the scene, he called the police and was integral to the investigation and identification of the defendant.
To this day, we do not know why the defendant murdered the victim as they were strangers who met the day of the offense. The victim was homeless at the time and struggling with drug addiction. The defendant was known in the neighborhood as aggressive, a bully and someone who tried to intimidate others. He was also known as an extremely jealous individual.
The defendant was found in Balch Springs, sleeping at his aunt’s house almost 24 hours after the offense. His own aunt turned him into the police. When he was arrested, they collected his shoes that were found to contain the victim’s blood. Additionally, the defendant’s DNA was found on the handle of the axe.
Throughout the investigation there were rumors that the defendant might be a member of a transnational gang. Investigator Valdez and ADA Salkic, while visiting the crime scene, found markings belonging to 18th Street Gang, made by this defendant on a tree in front of his house. This prompted further investigation into the defendant’s tattoos and social media. With the help of Irving Gang Detective Mayo Loza, the defendant was documented as a member of 18th Street and that evidence was presented in the punishment phase of the trial.
Prior to punishment, the defendant and his family were trying to put a hex on the Judge to sway his decision through practice and devotion to Santa Muerte. The defendant was sentenced to life in prison and the victim’s family rejoiced, was tearful and thankful to see justice.
GUILTY and sentenced to LIFE in prison.
State vs. Ronald Roberson
Sexual Assault of a Child
Indecency with a Child – Sexual Contact
Lead: Ward Weber
2nd Chair: Samantha Jackson
DA Investigator: Joe Mundy
DA Victim Advocate: Audri Graham
Investigating Agency: Carrollton Police Department
After hearing testimony from both victims, the jury convicted the defendant on both charges and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for Sexual Assault of a Child and 19 years in prison for Indecency with a Child – Sexual Contact. The Judge ruled for the sentences to run consecutively.
GUILTY and sentenced to 39 years in prison.
State vs. Shedrick Thornton
Violation of a Protective Order w/ 2 Previous Convictions
Lead: Max Ternosky
2nd Chair: Kathryn Suggs
DA Investigator: Michael Csaszar
DA Paralegal: Stephanie Thompson
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
In 2011, the victim received a message from the defendant, an old college acquaintance, asking to reconnect. She politely declined. For the next 14 years, the defendant would stalk, harass, intimidate and terrify the victim, eventually simultaneously being sent to prison and given probation for stalking and violating a protective order. The defendant was released in December of 2024 and took all of seven days before he started showing up to the same victim’s condo, picking fights with the doorman and asking to see his “wife”.
It took the jury six minutes to find him guilty and eventually sentenced him to the maximum amount of prison time -- 20 years. Afterwards, Judge Bennett also revoked his probation and sentenced him to the maximum of 10 years, stacking his sentences, and bringing the total amount to 30 years in prison.
GUILTY and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
