Concho Valley Public Defender's Office Picks Up Major Win with Not Guilty Jury Verdict

 

SAN ANGELO, TX – A San Angelo man facing 20 years in prison walked away a free man thanks to the new Concho Valley Public Defenders office.

According to court documents, on Feb. 28, 2023, Joe Gutierrez, 37, of San Angelo, was found not guilty of evading arrest with a previous conviction and possession of a controlled substance. 

The state was represented by Jensen Martinez and Richard Villarreal while the Gutierrez was represented by Ted Wenske and Joe Stephens of the Concho Valley Public Defender's Office. Prior to lunch the jury saw evidence that included the alleged meth, the dash cam footage from the officers car, and multiple other photographs. They also heard from a number of witnesses throughout the day including SAPD officers, DPS forensic scientists, and others. 

The jury began deliberating at 5:06 p.m. and finished at 9:51 p.m.

“After hearing all the evidence and deliberating well into the night, the jury came back with the correct verdict: not guilty on both counts," stated Chief Public Defender Chief Joe Stephens. "Our office, new as it is, takes great pride in fighting for the lives and dignity of the people we represent – yesterday’s result was the just one.”

This is the first major win in Tom Green County by the Concho Valley Public Defenders Office which was approved by the Tom Green County Commissioners in Jul. 2021. Although this is its first jury trial win in Tom Green County, the Public Defender's office has earned a not guilty verdict in Sterling County as well.

Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily

The LIVE! Daily is the "newspaper to your email" for San Angelo. Each content-packed edition has weather, the popular Top of the Email opinion and rumor mill column, news around the state of Texas, news around west Texas, the latest news stories from San Angelo LIVE!, events, and the most recent obituaries. The bottom of the email contains the most recent rants and comments. The LIVE! daily is emailed 5 days per week. On Sundays, subscribers receive the West Texas Real Estate LIVE! email.

Required

Most Recent Videos

Comments

I would like to know that details on this one. The cops had to have really messed up. Probably planted evidence and falsified testimony would be my guess.

Post a comment to this article here:

X Close