DA backs inquiry of former alderman

BAYOU VISTA — Authorities denied allegations Tuesday that a flawed investigation ultimately led to the dismissal of a deadly conduct charge against a former city alderman.

Christopher William Gimenez, 54, was arrested in April on a misdemeanor charge and accused of driving a car at a bicycling Larry Jones, another former Bayou Vista alderman.

When new information came forward, the case against Gimenez was dismissed Jan. 24 with prejudice in the interest of justice.

Gimenez said the charge was baseless. He also said although a deputy was assigned to the case, an investigation wasn’t done.

But Galveston County Criminal District Attorney Jack Roady said he asked the sheriff’s office to investigate the case so there could be no legitimate concern of retaliation or favoritism by any Bayou Vista or law enforcement official.

“Sheriff (Freddie) Poor graciously provided a detective to thoroughly investigate the case, including interviewing all known witnesses,” Roady said.

Roady reviewed the evidence and determined sufficient evidence existed to file the charge of deadly conduct, he said.

“As the case worked its way toward a trial setting, we discovered new evidence that could affect the case,” Roady said.

The sheriff’s detective, on Roady’s request, conducted an additional investigation to verify the new evidence and present findings for review, Roady said.

“This, along with other evidence developed after the charge was filed, led to my decision to dismiss the case in the interest of justice,” Roady said. “Any claim that the sheriff’s office failed to conduct a thorough and unbiased investigation or that my filing the charge was politically motivated is absolutely false.”

The investigation was done correctly and presented to Roady, Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo, a Galveston County Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said.

“The detective went above and beyond to assist us in verifying new information, which made it clear that the case should not proceed to trial,” Roady said.

Dismissing the charge was the right thing to do, he said.

“And the professional work by the sheriff’s office was critical in helping us develop and verify evidence that led to that just result,” Roady said.