After two Dallas parolees wearing ankle monitors were charged with murder twice in a matter of two weeks, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday directed two state criminal justice agencies to look into any mistakes that may have occurred under their supervision.
‘Heinous Acts’
In a letter to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, Abbott said that Nestor Hernandez and Zeric Jackson were still suspected of committing the “heinous acts” while wearing ankle monitors. Jackson is charged with murder in Lake Highlands, while Hernandez is suspected of two killings at Methodist Dallas Medical Center.
Abbott instructed the organizations in charge of making parole decisions and overseeing parolees submit a joint report to his office by January 4 that included administrative and legislative suggestions.
After the hospital killings, the Board of Pardons and Paroles came under investigation from Dallas and state authorities. It was unclear whether the agencies conducted an investigation prior to the letter, but the board supported releasing Hernandez from jail early following a felony conviction, claiming the circumstances were “not unusual.”
Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokeswoman Amanda Hernandez said the department has received Abbott’s letter and is looking into both parolees’ supervision in a “full review.”
The board said in a prepared statement on Monday that it will also look into the matter and deliver Abbott a report outlining its findings.
Accused Of Killing
Hernandez, 30, is accused of killing Katie Annette Flowers, a 63-year-old nurse, and Jacqueline Ama Pokuaa, a 45-year-old social worker, on October 22, and has been charged with capital murder, aggravated assault on a public official, and aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to an arrest-warrant document, he started acting strangely and accused her of cheating on him when he was visiting his girlfriend during the birth of their newborn child in the hospital’s labor and delivery wing. According to Dallas police, Pokuaa was shot when she entered the room to do usual medical care. After that, Flowers reportedly looked inside the room and was shot as well.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice states that Hernandez was given permission to attend the delivery while wearing an ankle monitor. After serving 80% of an eight-year jail term for aggravated robbery, he was granted release in October 2021. He allegedly ripped off his ankle monitor earlier this year and spent an extra 100 days in detention before being released, according to officials.
Following the Methodist case, Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot also attacked ankle monitors, claiming that while the majority of wearers comply with electronic monitoring, an excessive number of persons cut the device off or engage in violent behavior while wearing it. His office Monday declined to comment.
Hernandez and Jackson were both still detained on Monday at the Dallas County jail.
