[Texas:]Woman told police she knew Horn burglar was a criminal

Houston Chronicle ^ | 17, 2008 | RUTH RENDON

[SwinneySwitch]

Pasadena officers talked to girlfriend after shootings

A woman who knew one of the burglars gunned down by Pasadena homeowner Joe Horn told police she had warned her friend that his habit of breaking into homes would cost him his life, according to recently released police records.

As part of a 31-page police report, Diamond Morgan, 24, of Houston, told Pasadena police investigators that she knew Diego Ortiz was a criminal.

"Morgan stated that she told Ortiz three days ago that he was going to end up dead for the things that he was doing," police detective M.E. Bruegger wrote in the report. "Morgan stated that Ortiz would target foreigners and undocumented individuals and then rob them."

Indictment declined

The afternoon of Nov. 14, Horn called Pasadena police to report that two men were breaking into his neighbor's home. Horn ignored a police dispatcher's repeated instructions to remain inside his home and instead confronted the men in his front yard, shooting them both in the back.

A Harris County grand jury earlier this month declined to indict Horn, 62, on criminal charges for killing Ortiz, 30, and Hernando Riascos Torres, 38. Both men were Colombians in the United States illegally.

Detectives interviewed Morgan, who had a child with Ortiz, a few days after the killings.

Also included in the 31-page report was the written statement of C.D. Williams, an undercover Pasadena officer who responded to Horn's 911 call in the 7400 block of Timberline.

Officer stayed in car

"The first time I saw the white male (Horn) he had a shotgun shouldered and was about to confront the two black males," Williams wrote. "He pointed the shotgun in the direction of the two males and he called out some sort of verbal command. I assumed his vocalization was directed at...

[SwinneySwitch]

"...the homes targeted by the suspects were owned by people of Asian descent, and the suspects were Colombian."

Would they be considered hate crimes?

[steveo]

Pasadena officers talked to girlfriend after shootings

First off I wouldn't want to share and second off I'd wait until I was on a break...

[coconutt2000]

Horn ignored a police dispatcher's repeated instructions to remain inside his home and instead confronted the men in his front yard, shooting them both in the back.

Dispatcher: Please remain inside.

Armed Homeowner: But the field of view inside the house makes self defense difficult.

Dispatcher: But you'll be safer inside.

Armed Homeowner: Why don't I put the burglars on the phone and you tell them that...

[econjack]

A Harris County grand jury earlier this month declined to indict Horn, 62, on criminal charges for killing Ortiz, 30, and Hernando Riascos Torres, 38. Both men were Colombians in the United States illegally.

Not sure how I feel about this one, but I'm leaning towards Mr. Horn.

[weegee]

Also included in the 31-page report was the written statement of C.D. Williams, an undercover Pasadena officer who responded to Horn's 911 call in the 7400 block of Timberline. Officer stayed in car

The police in Texas do NOT work to protect and serve. They work to file paperwork on violations by citizens.

Corrupt DA Chuck Rosenthal threatened to prosecute citizens who carried guns in their cars as the legislature permits. He huffed that he would challenge the change to the law all the way through the courts up to the state supreme court.

You are on your own in this corrupt town.

[submarinerswife]

I wonder how many kids they had together?

[SwinneySwitch]

((Ping!))

[GulfBreeze]

Police said about $3,000 in cash and jewelry was taken from a safe in Horn's neighbor's master bedroom closet. The safe was pried open.

I sure would like to know what kind of safe that was so I could avoid it if I'm buying a safe.

[Tarkus2040]

"Morgan stated that she told Ortiz three days ago that he was going to end up dead for the things that he was doing," police detective M.E. Bruegger wrote in the report. "Morgan stated that Ortiz would target foreigners and undocumented individuals and then rob them."

I'm sure this b*tch didn't complain when Ortiz came "home" with a stash of stolen property or money. Throw her *ss in the slammer for abetting (and probably aiding at times as well).

[weegee]

“Morgan, who had a child with Ortiz”

[wolfcreek]

“she had warned her friend that his habit of breaking into homes would cost him his life”

Hell, she must be Jeane Dixon Junior!

[I still care]

Thank you, Mr. Horn.

If the government had done its job, keeping out illegals and prosecuting the ones that were crooks, these men would still be alive.

It’s a shame a citizen has to step up and put it all on the line because of the failure of the federal government.

[Ole Okie]

“Morgan, who had a child with Ortiz”

I wonder who is supporting the child.

Taxpayers? Nah, could never be.

[weegee]

The officer on the scene waiting in his car while waiting for “backup”. He observed but did not assist Mr. Horn.

There is no “backup” for citizens.

[TexasCajun]

Reminder:

The criminals were both in the United States Illegally !!

[TheGunny]

Joe Horn is a HERO!!

[300winmag]

A woman who knew one of the burglars gunned down by Pasadena homeowner Joe Horn ....

"Gunned down" sounds like a pejorative. I'd phrase it as "ex-burglars who were shown the error of their ways."

[Ol' Dan Tucker]

A Harris County grand jury earlier this month declined to indict Horn, 62, on criminal charges for killing Ortiz, 30, and Hernando Riascos Torres, 38. Both men were Colombians in the United States illegally.

Two down, 29,999,999 to go...

[Paleo Conservative]

"Morgan stated that Ortiz would target foreigners and undocumented individuals and then rob them."

Could it be that Ortiz was racist?

[Tunehead54]

Bump! ;-)