Damon Allen Law Enacted to Keep Dangerous Criminals Behind Bars

HOUSTON – Gov. Greg Abbott was in Houston on Monday morning to sign the "Damon Allen Act" bail reform bill into law.

The "Damon Allen Act" is a law that is designed to reform bail given to violent criminals. The bail reform bill was passed by the Texas Legislature during the second special session this year. It prohibits the release of people charged with violent crimes on personal or cash bond as well as requires defendants be granted or denied bail within 48 hours of their arrest and the person’s criminal history be examined before setting bail.

The bill is named after former Texas DPS Trooper, Damon Allen, who was killed during a traffic stop on Thanksgiving, 2017. Allen was killed by a man who was out on bond for assaulting a public servant and evading arrest. His bond was only set at $15,000 and had warrants the time of the arrest.

An example of this in San Angelo happened in 2019 after a murder occurred on Bailey St. The now proven guilty, Gabriel Ortiz, killed Ernesto Hernandez who was allegedly having an affair with Ortiz's wife. 

Two days after the murder, Ortiz attempted to locate and hurt his wife. Court documents claim that police found out after he told another inmate of his plan.

"You (Ortiz's wife) wasn't crying when you were sleeping with him," said Ortiz to the inmate. When asked who the person on the TV was Ortiz claimed "That's my wife and she's next." 

He was released on a $250,000 bond but after police learned of his plan he was rearrested for obstruction and retaliation. He was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Mar. 5, 2020. 

With the "Damon Allen Act" Ortiz would more than likely would have never been released.

The bill was signed into law on Sep. 13 at 9 a.m.