The lawsuit against the former prison officer was dismissed.
Natalie Frells
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June 20, 2024
SAN MARCOS, Texas – Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that the District Attorney’s Office has dismissed a third-degree felony indictment for deadly conduct against former Hays County Sheriff’s Office Corrections Officer Isaiah Garcia. On December 12, 2022, Garcia shot and killed Joshua Wright, age 36, while on duty as a Hays County Corrections Officer. Wright was incarcerated in the Hays County Jail and had been transferred to Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle the previous evening after complaining of health issues. Garcia was assigned to guard Wright at the hospital and was preparing to return Wright to the jail when the shooting occurred. As Wright emerged from the bathroom, Garcia attempted to re-attach the handcuffs that had been removed from Wright. Wright forcefully pushed Garcia away and attempted to flee through the emergency room toward the general exit. The investigation into the shooting was reviewed by a Hays County Grand Jury in April 2023.The grand jury considered possible murder and manslaughter charges in connection with Wright’s shooting. Under Texas law, corrections officers or peace officers may be justified in using force, including deadly force, if they reasonably believe that such force is immediately necessary to prevent the escape of a person in their custody. After hearing the evidence and relevant law, the grand jury did not return an indictment on any of these charges. However, the grand jury returned an indictment charging Garcia with a third-degree felony of deadly conduct. According to the indictment, Garcia allegedly shot Joshua Wright in a medical facility where patients and staff were present, and fired a firearm at or in the direction of one or more persons. The indictment did not charge Garcia with any crimes directly related to Wright’s death, but it did charge him with deadly conduct for the circumstances of firing a weapon in a crowded emergency room. “The District Attorney’s Office has been in contact with Joshua Wright’s family throughout the investigation and prosecution of the case, including allowing Wright’s family to view the body camera footage of the shooting incident,” Higgins said. “We know Wright’s family and many in the community were deeply disappointed with the grand jury’s decision not to indict Garcia on murder or manslaughter charges.” In all criminal cases, the District Attorney’s Office must represent the State of Texas and make decisions about the resolution of cases with justice and the interests of the community in mind. While the wishes of the victim or victim’s family are always taken into consideration, other factors must also be considered, including public safety and fundamental fairness, Higgins said. After considering these factors, the state today moved to dismiss the case against Isaiah Garcia, and the court dismissed the case. Prior to the dismissal, Garcia also agreed to permanently surrender his corrections officer license and not to future be licensed or certified to work as a police officer, corrections officer or armed security officer. “The lawsuit was dismissed at the request of the Wright family. After consulting with their legal representatives, they communicated their desire for the lawsuit to be dismissed. The family subsequently continued to request dismissal, even after viewing body camera footage of the shooting. The family’s reasons for their request were carefully considered and ultimately determined to be meritorious,” Higgins said. “We have chosen to respect the family’s privacy and will not discuss their reasons further. We encourage others to respect their privacy as well.”