The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 158, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 2002 Page: 7 of 20
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According to Mitchell, he was in the
finest in the nation,” Superintendent Barbara
Mirabeau B. Lamar Elementary star is Margaret
Teachers also held "palettes of love for Karen.'
“some girls might be coming over.”
Around 1 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., Davis
tor
and arrived within 10-15 minutds.
They approached the Pontiac, and as
asked him to identify the woman’in the
L-x- 1 a c>- ->■- r .. 1-:-- —
“That’s Kaci.”
by Davis, she and Thain had known
each other while at Lee High School.
Fink and Davis had visited Thain’s
Continued from Page 1A
Fink’s vehicle with a. silver gun in
hand. Second, that he heard Crystal
Davis, a friend of Fink’s, and Thain
arguing by the back door of Thain’s
house prior to Fink’s death. ,
Bobbie Becka, Baytown Junior star is Pat Kana,
Cedar Bayou Junior star is Denise Smesny, award,” Linares had. “It’s for all of us ” ■
George Gentry Junior star is Kim Futrell, ” ' ' . ,
Highlands Junior star is Carla Griffin, Horace Elementary — lined up to honor Linares them- garten/kindergarten and Project Read, vvashon-
Mann star is Vicki Venable, Alternative Learning selves. They listed achievements and folibles,
Program is Alfonso Pena, School Community while they held up individual letters that said
, ’ on one side and Joan Linares on
Thompson, Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary star is
Nfyri^y Bolding, George Washington Carver star Sterling star is Mollie Hunt. upjp give Linares a standing ovation for her
is Suzanne Keith, Harlem Elementary star is Joan “Goose Creek school teachers are some of the .work. .
Linares, Highlands Elementary star is Jessica finest in the nation,” Superintendent Barbara Karen Edwards — a Robert E. Lee art teacher
Tracy, B.P. Hopper Primary star is Gracie Lester, Sultis said. —was
Linares said that after the shock had receded, and students circulated in the audience with art teachers selected were honored by being recog-
Pipes, Jessie Lee Pumphrey Elementary star is after learning she had won the elementary teacher works that had been created by her students.
Elaine Bushnell, San Jacinto Elementary star is of the year award, she asked if she would have to
Kay Cook, William B. Travis Elementary star is make a speech.
Lee
Continued from Page 1A
Alamo Elementary star is Dian Landriault,
Ashbel Smith Elementary star is Linda Myrick,
Stephen F. Austin Elementary star is Evah Leigh
Primeaux, James Bowie Elementary star is Kim
. nugiaiii is /inuiisu rciia, ouiuui vuiiuiiuiiicy vvunc uicy licit
Woods, David Crockett Elementary star is Ann Quj(jance Center star is Milton Kellner, Robert E. “Best Teacher”
"‘—-s £ee jjjgjj star js iQuej) Edwards and Ross S. the other, while teachers and administrators took being with
L.I-—- ; up to give Linares a standing ovation for her S
“Goose Creek school teachers are some of the work. ! Community Guidance Center and city council-
man for District 2, said he was very impressed
is honored with two ovations, while teachers with the awards ceremony. He thought that the
niZed and that it was good for the district.
“We need more of this. It’s incredible.” Sheley
while, they “roasted” her with pat expressions she said. “Our teachers deserve this.”
Mitchell said he fled the scene travel- striped button-down shirt did not look iury', something in someone's
room for about 30 minutes when Thain ing about 70-80 mph. While in the car, up.
'' Cavins got a second page of the night Kaci’s uncle Ted McCollotn and
from Thain. other family members huddled around
Mitchell said he knew it was Thain Mrs. Fink with hands on her shoulders
because of the phone number which and rubbed her back.
■ According to Fink, his had seen his
Mitchell pulled his Mercedes over at daughter the night of the shooting.
the car while Cavins got out to make knocked on his bedroom door to tell
the return call. him she was home.
“Two to three patrol cars pulled up." Around 4:15 aim! Mr. Fink got a call
’ from a truck driver Frederick Rivers,
Mitchell said the police had put pis- who said Kaci had been shot.
t The Finks lived approximately five
on the ground. According to Mitchell miles- from the intersection, of Baker.
“This is such a great honor to receive this says to students over the years and funny happen-
•‘itvm, »u , ings in her 30 years as a teacher.
Teachers from Linares’ school — Harlem Karen Coffey, director of dyslexia, pre-kinder-
ored as the administrator of the year.
After being with, the school district for .17 years,
Coffee told the crowd that she Could not “imagine
T more loving people in her life.”
Scott Sheley, a vice principal at the School
Mitchell, Thain's into the driver’s seat and Kaci let Thain
....—x xi._ xi_, passenger-side door.
Thain was wearing “a white shirt and Blake Thain had killed Kaci Fink.
SC“~ L' "'' -------,,:x.,..„ -_.L... ..
the-living room listening to music, and something,” Mitchell said. “I didn't see can’t believe Blake did this to those they were about 30 yards away, they
...»<• him with a gun.” girls,” Mitchell testified? were called to stop by officer Rene
Online’s Instant According to^MitchelL he and In cross examination' with District Hinojosa.
ice. -Cavins stayed to smoke a cigarette and Attorney. Tammy Thomas, Mitchell Hinojosa also testified,
Thain told Mitchell and Cavins that then left. claims Thain received a chrome and According to Hinojosa, he said to
S?. black 380 pistol from a 41-year-old Fink “I had to tell him. yes. his daugh-
Thain’S house in Mitchell’s Mercedes, ’ woman named Crystal Kabernik when ter was dead."
1 ' ' ' Thain was 15. Tne defense asked Hinojosa whether
“1 used to hang out with her when I he had noticed any casings or bullets in
was 17,” Mitchell, now 20. said. '"',l “v"e k,,t "n,il
The district attorney showed the gun
Lawrence Ross Fink, Kaci’s dad. tried to line up. testimonies to identify
... . ._. . .... n..:.... ^-rson f- — ■!- - l-l.- n._x:_
of June 15. he and friend Clifton people over at Blake’s house.”
“June” Cavins, were in Houston visit- According to Mitchell, the others -
ing Cavins’ mother. Cavins received a except Cavins —were drinking alco-
page from Thain, who was in Baytown. hoi. Cavins got up to smoke a cigarette
It was the first of two pages they outside and Fink went with him. Thain
would receive from Thain that night, and Crystal soon followed.
According to Mitchell, Cavins had
known Thain for about four months.
He had met him through Mitchell. and Davis returned.
Cavins and Mitchell had smoked “Blake had that look like he wanted
some marijuana and after not having to be left alone (with Davis). We knew
any luck “looking for girls” they got a each other pretty' well,” he said. ■
page from Thain, who later to come Mitchell went out to see Fink and was listed on the pagei
over to and have some drinks. It was, Cavins who were standing at the edge f *
about 10 p.m. of the driveway toward the street, a nearby pay phone. Mitchell stayed in Kaci Tiad a midnight curfew and had
Stars
Mitchell was driving his 1990 “Kaci was upset that Crystal was in
----J --..-J .x^.:_._ 1—— X.--X----” UXA.II
in the 100 block of Lakeway Drive.
When they arrived they found Thain outside, “she seemed
According to Mitchell, Crystal, got tols in their face and told them to get
According to earlier testimony made Bra™ at ho™ in iZoZ
tor. the police officers were screaming that and Bayway, the scene of the cL.he,
Dlnlzn Tlimn lirwl Izillrirl IZ oz-»« [Tinlz * <inrl ll'lflim 1 n_ I mini ifzfc-
some black pants, like some Dickies or Mitchell then remembers saying. “1
? rvrn • ri rr ” N.41 tr-lxol 1 cmrl /"krln’f aon nnn'f Itzsl Dlnlzzi zlirl tn tknm
him with a gun." girls." Mitchell testHled. .
According to^MitchelL he and I.. „ ..
Cavins stayed to smoke a cigarette and Attorney Tammy Thomas, Mitchell
„ ti—- ; i .. ...........j
When Mitchell arid’Cavins left
is----' »4:x l.-in_ ----j._
he said he turned to leave the neigh-
BayWay Drive resident Valorie
Morelock, Baytown Officer Rene
Hinojosa and Lawrence Ross Fink,
Kaci’s father. _
According to Mitchell, on the night normally where we stay when we have came from the car (Fink’s Pontiac),’
the area.“Yes, but not until daylight,”
the officer answered.
Both the defense and the prosecution
■_jx.. i.------x. .x.------------- :.j.._x:c/a
from the blue Pontiac
“1 thought we just got shot at. I’d presented a framed picture to Fink and where Fink had^been shot
been shot at before in Baytown so I - ■
wasn’t thinking it was ”
Mitchell said.
In a series of stops and starts,
choked whisper, white male wearing a white shirt.
Mercedes and arrived at Thain’s house that room,” Mitchell said.
About 15 minutes later, Davis came
vvn&n uivy ainvcu uicy iuuiiu mam uuimuc, sue seemed a little Upset,” Mitchell Said.
sitting in a lawn chair in his front yard. Mitchell said. I
The three went inside. /
According to
her bedroom.
At that time, the three were mostly in
, , . , ■ tnc living luuiu listening io music, anu
house on the night ofthe murder Davis- Thain was talkin with c tel Davls
and Fmk were last seen with Thain in on AmeHca Onljne,s Instant
Fink s car, a blue 1994 Pontiac Grand Messenger Servit
Am. ■" —
Five other witnesses testified in
Thursday’s trial: truck driver Frederick t a U1 a L,av
Rivers, paramedic Sean Saunders, and Fink had knocked on the back do<
leading to the garage. Mitchell was in borhood and noticed headlights blink-
the bedroom drinking Kahlua, and ing from a vehicle in his rearview mir-
Thain introduced them. ror.
We went into the bedroom. “That's “1 heard gun shots and I thought it to the jury,
vomo Frotvi /Uinlz’c Dnnfinnl”
Mitchell said. also testified on Thursday. Thomas fleeing pren
Truck driver River testified seeing a
anything new." photo. Fmk said, in ..
TL-.L Mitchell also claimed to see a person
Thain, sitting in a red-and-white fleeing the vehicle. Mitchell said to the
j_____i .1.:.^ kj■„i__i. inrv "I snriiefhina in qnmpnnp's
right hahdi 1 assumed it was a gun."
But, the court, adjournment before
more details could be asked of
Mitchell.
The. trial is expected to resume at
10:15 a.m. Monday morning in the
185th’District Court in Houston. Judge
. Susan Brown is presiding.
together-and work to improve police were called to investigate object in his hand, possibly
After Dillow and Aldred
jury decision was just one step
Trial
decision, including assigning a
day of prayer when they would '
office
wi
criminal wrongdoing," he said, said he was not surprised by
"TcoUld only be disappointed
District Attorney's In a j
Office had the will to obtain an incident. Torres appeared calm
"I am confident that the com- the former BayCoast Medical arrived, Torres fled and para- said. "It goes by the book.'
come Center. At 12:14 a.m.. Baytown medics reported seeing a shiny M-'" 11111 * :
togetner-ano wore to improve police were called to investigate object in his hand, possibly a enng several options to show
on the faith that we have in each reports of a possibly intoxicated weapon. Officers responded their dissatisfaction with the
id 'prayers ■ continue for the intersection of South Main and Torres,
r.i ...<. i .. . ... j , After Dillow and Aldred 1
Dillow were dispatched at learned that Torres was the sub- encourage everyone to stay
12:17 a.m. and arrived on the ject of,the,earlier called, they home from work and school to
------- Tt_. -------... t . . . .. , a _
ed Torres in the 200 block of about it. Torres began walking
Aldred and Dillow spoke to Dillow and Aldred attempted
represents Dillow, said Dillow Harris District Attorney's In a police video tape of the wrestled him to the ground. Baytown as’a'resuh of the
-*;J- -x<--- -- — Office had the will to obtain an incident. Torres appeared calm " ' ...
"He did exactly what he had indictment of a police officer and cooperative.
'under these circumstances," he Dillow was told that Torres
Cagle said the incident could said. "The district attorney's was the subject of an earlier
--------;'4"J "ffice has demonstrated that it emergency medical call. At fists in ;
dll try children as adults ... approximately 10:50 p.m., incident.
„x :x l— ------- -ixs..:—j an Torres’ famiiy called an ambu- y -- -■-
appetite for .prosecuting its lance for Torres because of properly
problems with high blood pres- training.
Torres was pronounced dead sure. When the Baytown "Theconductofthoseoffi-
at 1:10 a.m. Sunday, Jan: 20 at Emergency Medical Services cers goes by their training." he
Rv/ tin#*. K/Volz "
Mata said LULAC is consid-
Grand jury
Continued from Page 1A
Jones said Dillow, Billeaud,
Aldred,and.Evans will remain
on desk assignment and admin-
istrative leave pending the out-
come of an administrative
'""WeTr'in^he pro -s. f glaCl they ve been cleared of represents the Torres family, scene at 12:20 a.m. They locat- attempted to question him remember Torres
looking into this situation from tT* d Z "Ot 2°° b‘°Ck °f ab°U' " ^'k,n8 ^11 X. leader of the
x x- x r They didn t do anything cnmi- Thursday s decision. South Main Street. away. , , , „
n a minis ra !ve poin o nai]y wrong" 'TcoUld only be disappointed Aldred and Dillow spoke to Dillow and Aldred attempted ous,0n dc ant ler 1 arty,
view, ne said. As the chief Attorney Burt Springer, who if I had any expectation .of the Torres in English and Spanish, to stop Torres from leaving and said he planned to march in
aw enforcement o icer, am represents Dillow, said Dillow Harris District Attorney's In a police video tape of the wrestled him to the ground. Baytown aski'result of the out-
required to make a determina- did nothing wrong. Office had the will to obtain an incident. Torres appeared calm Evans arrived to help detain come. °
tion as to whether or not any ”f[e exactly what he had indictment of a police officer and cooperative. Torres. Torre’s* was pepper- ' Soi„r s..uj f(lp T„rrp(. fan,;iv
administrative violations have been trained to do," he said. under these circumstances," he Dillow was told that Torres sprayed and officers can be i . , r ■ i
occurred and ifso, it will be my Cagle said the incident could said. "The district attorney's was the subject of an earlier seen striking him with their. ■ toes not approve o a vioent
responsibility to determine and have been avoided. » office has demonstrated that it emergency medical call. At fists in a police video of the resolution to this case,
discipline at that time." "Mr. Torres could have-com- will try children as adults . . . approximately 10:50 p.m.. incident. "The family has asked for a
Smyth said the grand jury plied with the officers' but it has never acquired an Torres’family called an ambu- Smyth said the officers acted non-violent and peaceful reso-
heard testimony for three days requests," he said. appetite for .prosecuting its lance for Torres because of properly according to their |.ltjon <i,K ..nri hPi,pVPq
and inferviewefr morethan'45_" MMfafb"sai'dTTiijfsday^'grand Own." -5 ■—problems with high blood pres- training. . , ,. , ,
witnesses. jury decision was just one step Torres was pronounced dead sure. When the Baytown "Theconductofthoseoffi- .U yaPPeain8°. c uman-
"They made a full inquiry," in a multi-stage process. at 1:10 a.m. Sunday, Jan: 20 at Emergency Medical Services cers goes by their training." he 'ty an^ goodwill of human
he said. "1 have no reason to "I am confident that the com- the former BayCoast Medical arrived, Torres fled and para-‘ said. "It goes by the book." beings they will respond in
believe any other grand jury munity will continue to come Center. At 12:14 a.m.. Baytown medics reported seeing a shiny Mata said LULAC is consid- kind," he said.
has demonstrated that it emergency medical call. At fists in
Center. At 12:14 a.m.. Baytown medics reported seeing a shiny
would not reach the same con-
clusion." ■,
Attorney Chris Cagle, who other," he said. "Dur thoughts man walking in the street at the but were unable to locate
represents Aldred and Evans, anc r.
said Thursday the officers were , families of the people directly East Nazro streets. Aldred and-
notified of the results. involved." Dillow were dispatched at
"Obviously, the officers are Attorney Michael Solar, who 12:!'’ zr.2 .... ....7
glad they've been cleared of represents the Torres family, scene at 12:20 a.ni. They locat- attempted to question him
criminal wrongdoing," he said, said he was not surprised by fJ ” “ " ’ ” ' • ■ ”
"They didn't do anything crimi- Thursday's decision. South Main Street.
nally wrong." 'Tcould only be disappointed „
Attorney Burt Springer, who if I had any expectation .of the Torres in English and Spanish, to stop Torres from leaving and
did nothing wrong.
”14a rlirl i
been trained to do," he said.
ering several options to show
Evans arrived to help detain
Torres. Torres was pepper-
sprayed and officers can be
seen striking him with their
a police video of the resolution to this
Friday, May 3,2002
In the long run. Benavides said, the
Baytown community.11
"If you have no.,trust, you're not
she said. "You're not going to be able ■
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
said he would be meeting with other
community members to discuss their
next steps.
"We are going to be meeting as soon
as possible to see what other steps
we'll be taking here in Baytown."
Though some community leaders
were upset by the decision, others
see it as a chance to reunite the Baytown."
that though Torres’ death was an
unfortunate incident, the community
needs to.begin coming together.
"I'm glad that the investigation by
the law enforcement agencies that cul-
minated in the grand jury presentation
concluded that the Baytown officers
officials to request a citizen review
commission.
"The leadership should be more
department."
Former city council member Eva ...
dent, said he expected the grand jury Benavides said the Torres incident going to have that communication."
from other Baytown residents who trust with the police department.
were upset by the decision. "How can anyone be expected to
"I've gotten a few calls and a lot of trust the police department now:" she
receptive now of our initial demand people are upset," he said. said. "This is going to get worse
that WP havp a rnmmiccinn tr> inr.v inm "Everybody's upset. I don't know what before it gets better. vVe have no pro-
long-term effect this is going to have, tection at this point."
has in place," De Hoyos said. "I think but I know at the moment that nobody In the long run. Benavides said, the
- is feeling very good about the police lack of trust will negatively impact the had no crimmal liability m what hap-
pened." he said, "h was a very unfor-
tunate incident that all of us regret
„ x. ------ --------- o . .... . having happened. I hope that the citi-
to charge at least one of the officers reflects poorly on the city of Baytown, she said. "You're not going to be able ■ zens of Baytow n can understand and
with a crime. "This is an added insult to-the to work with the police department." accept this grand jury action and that
"Tm upset," he said. "1 didn't expect Hispanic community." she sa'jd. "This Though some community leaders we can again become united and pro-
a blanket indictment against the offi- is just another blemish for the city of were upset by the decision, others ceed in the best interest of the city of
cers, but 1 thought for sure one of the Baytown as a whole."
The Baytown Sun 7A
Bay town Hispanic leaders outraged, disappointed by Torres decision
By MATTHEW COOK • De Hoyos, along with Fred AgUilar four would be indicted." Benavides said the incident has community, |
Staff writer " and Eva Benavides, have met with city Aguilar said he had received calls destroyed much of the community's C ity t'ouncilman Don Murray said
rS *-w .ApFirMSlIc tr~V r*OZ11 lOC-f O - Dn, .. ,K 4«.. ..4 ...2aL it.. —... K J. 1: __4.. il.. . il’ 1 . f I .t
BAYTOWN — Some local
Hispanic community leaders said they
were extremely upset by a Harris
County grand jury decision not to
indict Baytown Police officers in the
in-custody death of Luis Alfonso
Torres.
that we have a commission to look into
the procedures that'the Baytown PD
’ ~1„~~ »» it „„: j hi aK- 1.
Ruben De Hoyos, president of the that. this.Prove,s that we to have
iSn,nin rn, _____" such a citizens' commission?'
Aguilar, a long time Baytown resi-
College
teacher in Austin.
has been president since 200Q. j
For 13 years she held various lead- with
a master’s
Developmental
offerings. She also sees the impor- I
tance of looking at new and diverse president ofTSTC, she has been suc-
sources
lege moving forward.Ellis comes to increases in enrollment, retention, American Christian College in
Lee College from Texas State national ranking in grade in many of Oklahoma.
Technical College in Waco where she the technical program areas, n^w
Ellis said she hopes to infuse the Development Grant and Director of fyas a master’s degree in her career she has also received
local college with new technology Information Technology. Developmental Cognitive numerous honors and awards, and
During the two years Ellis has been Psychology from the University of held leadership roles in service
■ 1 1 . Texas at Dallas and a bachelor’s groups, professional organizations,
of revenue to keep the col- cessful in achieving significant degree in Music. Psychology from campus committees and task forces.
increases in enrollment, retention, American Christian College in Lee College’s new president is
married to Steve Ellis who currently
In 2001 she completed the serves as an interim dean at
President’s Academy of ihe American McLennan County Community
Association of”Community Colleges College in Waco. He is also a senior
(AACC). In 2000 she attended the adviser to the North Texas
institute for new college and'univer- Community College Consortium.
sity presidents at Harvard University. fire couple have two adult sons,
Ellis has written five books on psy- Clark, who resides in Nevada and
chology and had papers published in Cliff who works as a high school
various college journals. Throughout teacher in Austin.
Continued from Page 1A
and community."
“This has certainly been a tough job
to replace Dr. Sasser who had given
us a smooth and efficient operation
for the past 10 years,” said Coburn.
“We looked at a whole range of qual-
ified candidates. But we were look- kas been president since 200(). program development, partnerships
mg for someone we would be really For 13 years she held various lead- with a variety of public schools,
proud to bring to the institution and ership positions at Collin County community colleges, universities and
we found overwhelming support for Community College including civic/community organizations, and
Dr. Ellis from both community peo- Provost Of the Spring Creek Campus resource development.
pie who were part of the process and and professor of psychology. Dean of In addition to her doctorate in
from members of the Lee College Social Science and Public Service higher education administration from
family.” department, Director of the Skills the University of North Texas, Ellis
MSHBi
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Cash, Wanda Garner. The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 80, No. 158, Ed. 1 Friday, May 3, 2002, newspaper, May 3, 2002; Baytown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1185129/m1/7/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Sterling Municipal Library.