More than 2,000 pieces of evidence and property records in Constable Precinct 3 are in question after KHOU 11 News uncovered the precinct’s independent audit.
Since a Precinct 4 deputy wrongfully destroyed evidence forcing the district attorney’s office to dismiss more than 100 cases and review more than a thousand others, KHOU 11 News requested all the precincts' evidence and property room audits.
A Precinct 3 lieutenant, who oversees the evidence room, says this is not the same situation as in Precinct 4. No evidence was destroyed, however, they are unable to search and located property and evidence using the precinct’s new software, FileOnQ.
The July 15 audit revealed 2,052 pieces of evidence and property records that didn’t match with the FileOnQ software that was installed March 2015.
The audit points out that not being able to recall certain evidence can result in, “the inability to provide the required evidence and property in the pursuit of justice and/or misappropriations.”
Since the audit, Precinct 3 management says they’ve discovered and properly logged about 1,500 of the 2,052 items in question.
KHOU 11 News contacted Precinct 3 staff Friday morning to verify that their evidence room is in order. Lt. Rivera told KHOU 11 News he was going to talk to Constable Ken Jones about an interview and admittance into their evidence room. The lieutenant did not return our phone calls later that afternoon.
Other evidence and property room audits uncovered by KHOU 11 News revealed possible problems with Precinct 7 and verified orderly evidence rooms in Precincts 5 and 8.