State vs. Kristian Smith
Capital Murder
Lead: Clint Stiffler
2nd Chair: Jessica Trevizo
Appellate Support: Jaclyn O’Connor
DA Investigator: Bonita Morgan
Investigating Agency: DeSoto Police Department
On November 4, 2021, Wendon Blair hosted a house party attended by seven others. The defendant was a long-haul truck driver whose girlfriend attended the party. The defendant had his girlfriend’s location on his phone and used it to track her. He parked his semi-truck a block away, donned a ski mask, and knocked on Blair’s door demanding his girlfriend. After Blair refused him entry, the defendant forced his way inside. Blair and the defendant fought and exchanged gunfire. The defendant survived but Blair did not.
The defendant was indicted for capital murder with burglary of habitation being the underlying felony. After a two-week trial the jury convicted the defendant of murder and sentenced him to 50 years in prison.
GUILTY and sentenced to 50 years in prison.
State vs. Joseph Olvera
Sexual Performance of a Child <14 Employ/Induce/Authorize
Lead: Megan Bisacca
2nd Chair: Ann Duffy
DA Investigator: Natarsha Price
DA Victim Advocate: Gabriela Vallejo
Investigating Agency: Irving Police Department
The defendant was convicted of sexual performance of a child under the age of 14.
GUILTY and sentenced to 31 years in prison.
State vs. Gabriela Cardona
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Lead: Rachel Burris
2nd Chair: Madeline Bostic
DA Investigator: Joseph Swanson
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
The defendant has a storied criminal history. On the date of this offense, the defendant was told to quit panhandling at the 7-11. Instead of just leaving the premises, the defendant threatened to kill the store manager and then used the knife she was holding to slash the tires on five cars in the parking lot.
Throughout the course of the legal proceedings, the defendant fired her court appointed lawyer and represented herself until she decided she again wanted a lawyer during trial.
The State and defense agreed to a punishment in exchange for an appellate waiver. Should her interaction with the criminal justice system continue, her eligible punishment range will be 25 years to life in prison.
GUILTY and sentenced to 8 years in prison + agreed to waive appeal.
State vs. Peyton Zachry
Interfere with Emergency Request for Assistance
Lead: Cierra Arguijo
2nd Chair: Victoria Crosby
DA Investigator: Mindy Fancher, Lt. James Hammond
DA Legal Assistant: Shakita Purifoy
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
The defendant and victim were dating for three years. The victim was staying in an Airbnb for a summer law school internship when her boyfriend came to visit for the weekend. The two got in an argument and the defendant ended up throwing a wine bottle at the victim and pushing the victim to the ground. The victim called 911 and the defendant ran outside and snatched the phone from her. The police unfortunately did not show up for two hours. In that time, the defendant choked the victim, spat at her, broke her furniture and yelled at her. When police did arrive, the defendant tried to paint the victim as the aggressor. The defendant was arrested for Assault Family Violence Impeding and Interference with Emergency Request for Assistance. The AFV Impeding case was no-billed by the grand jury.
The jury returned a guilty verdict in 30 minutes. The defendant elected to go to the judge for punishment.
GUILTY and sentenced to 12 months’ probation, restitution, Battering Intervention and Prevention Program (BIPP) + apology letter to victim.
State vs. Linda Molina Castro
Intoxication Assault Serious Bodily Injury with Vehicle
Lead: Hallie Warnock
2nd Chair: Robin Pittman
DA Investigator: Martin Bosse
DA Paralegal: LaTonya Peoples
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
On November 28, 2022, around 2:00 am on the North Central Expressway on ramp from Woodall Rogers, the defendant caused a four vehicle car crash while driving with a blood alcohol content over two times the legal limit for alcohol.
One of the vehicles the defendant wrecked into was a Dallas Fire Rescue Firetruck that was assisting an earlier crash. Another vehicle had a back passenger suffer a liver laceration from a pole impaling her back through the backseat and the trunk of the car.
Crash Data from the defendant’s Tesla reported speeds of over 80 mph seconds before the crash in an advisory 35 mph speed zone.
The victim could not be found prior to trial. One of the doctors who treated the victim at Baylor Hospital the night of the offense testified to the injuries.
The defense requested and were granted the inclusion in the jury charge of the lesser included offense of Misdemeanor DWI. The jury deliberated for 10 minutes before returning a verdict guilty on the felony intoxication assault SBI.
GUILTY and sentenced to 5 years straight probation + 30 Days in jail as a condition of probation + interlock device on car + $5,000 fine.
State vs. Shatori Bell
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Lead: Megan Reed
2nd Chair: Emily Kapp
DA Investigator: John Ludwigs
Investigating Agency: Dallas Police Department
The defendant and her boyfriend (the victim) dropped someone off at a probation office and then got into an argument in the parking lot. The victim walked away from the situation, heading across the parking lot on foot. The defendant got into her car, pursued the victim, and hit him with her car. The defendant called 911 and lied saying that the victim punched out her windshield.
GUILTY and sentenced to 3 years in prison probated for 3 years.
