Hearing set for Oct. 31 on alleged misconduct in Walmart shooter case: Courtroom recap
The Walmart mass shooter will return to a state district courtroom for the first time since his arraignment in October 2019.
District Judge Sam Medrano is requiring the shooter to be present for a scheduling conference Thursday, Sept. 12. The hearing set to begin at 9 a.m. is the latest attempt to set a trial date for Patrick Crusius, who faces state charges of capital murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Today's hearing is in Texas' 409th District Court, where the shooter could face the death penalty if he is convicted of capital murder.
Judge sets new hearing to address issues of alleged prosecutorial misconduct
A Thursday, Oct. 31, hearing is set to address allegations of prosecutorial misconduct that could result in the death penalty being removed as a punishment for the Walmart mass shooter.
Judge Sam Medrano ordered a motion hearing for 9 a.m. Oct. 31 to discuss the allegations that district attorney officials collected jailhouse phone calls between the gunman and his attorneys.The allegation involves illegally obtained recording of more than three-and-a-half hours of private conversations. The hearing will also deal with other allegations of prosecutorial misconduct.
Medrano said he will submit a scheduling document later this month setting deadlines to file pretrial motions.
– Aaron Martinez
Walmart shooter enters packed courtroom
The gunman, 26-year-old Patrick Crusius, entered the courtroom wearing a bulletproof vest over his orange and white jailhouse jumpsuit.He was wearing handcuffs and chains around his ankles. He sat between his attorneys, Joe Spencer and Mark Stevens, as he waited for the hearing to start.
As defense attorneys and state prosecutors argued over evidence, the shooter stared straight ahead, showing no emotion.
– Aaron Martinez
Watch live: Walmart shooter hearing
The El Paso Times will provide a livestream of the hearing. The video will appear below.
– Aaron Bedoya
Courthouse staff prepares for the start of hearing
About 9 a.m., news reporters were escorted into the courtroom. The courtroom was already nearly at capacity with victims’ families and courthouse officials.Law enforcement officers stood inside the courtroom lined along the walls.
– Aaron Martinez
Family members of Walmart victims arrive at courthouse
More than a dozen family members of victims have arrived at the courthouse. Security has taken them to a room near the courtroom to keep them separate from reporters and community members attending the hearing. Defense attorneys and state prosecutors entered the courtroom about 8:15 a.m.
El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks entered the courtroom about 8:40 a.m.
– Aaron Martinez
Security tight for Walmart hearing
The county courthouse was packed with media, attorneys and courthouse staff as soon as the courthouse opened around 7 a.m.More than a dozen Texas Department of Public Safety state troopers, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies and courthouse security stood outside the courtroom. Media cameras and other gear were searched by bomb-sniffing dogs.All people attending the hearing were required to go through two security checkpoints. District Judge Sam Medrano walked into the courtroom about 7:45 am, greeting those already waiting to enter. Families of the victims are expected to attend the hearing. The families have been kept away from the line of reporters waiting to enter the courtroom.
– Aaron Martinez
Walmart shooter has repeatedly admitted to 2019 El Paso shooting
Crusius, 26, has already admitted to killing 23 people during a massacre at a Walmart grocery store near Cielo Vista Mall on Aug. 3, 2019 in El Paso.
He pleaded guilty to 90 hate and firearms crimes in February 2023, stemming from the racially-motivated attack. He was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences for the mass shooting.
In a news release, the U.S. Department of Justice stated: "According to court documents, Crusius previously admitted that he killed and wounded people at the Walmart because of the actual and perceived national origin of the people he expected to be at the Walmart. He further admitted that he intended to kill everyone he shot."
– El Paso Times staff
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Hearing set for Oct. 31 on alleged misconduct in Walmart shooter case
