Governor Directs Investigation into Dallas Murders by Paroled Inmates

AUSTIN (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas Governor Greg Abbott is directing the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Texas Department of Criminal Justice to investigate any lapses in the release and parole supervision of Nestor Hernandez and Zeric Jackson.

Hernandez was wearing an ankle monitor when Police say he shot and killed two Methodist healthcare workers on the labor and delivery unit. He was out of prison on parole and had permission to be at the hospital.

Parolee Jackson was reportedly linked to a Lake Highlands murder by his ankle monitor.

“In recent months, two prisoners who were released on parole went on to commit brutal murders while wearing ankle monitors as a condition of their parole,” reads the letter. “In neither case were ankle monitors an effective deterrent to the heinous crimes they committed. Although nothing can be done to bring back these victims, Texas must protect Texas residents from similar acts. Your respective agencies are responsible for deciding which inmates to release on parole (BPP) and then supervising those who have been released from prison. No later than January 4th, 2023, your agencies must investigate any lapses that occurred in the Hernandez and Jackson cases, prepare any legislative or administrative recommendations based on the lessons learned, and present a joint report to the Office of the Governor.”

Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia applauds the move by Abbott.

“Violent criminal accountability is a major issue, not only here in Dallas, or Texas, but nationally,” said Chief Garcia. “Although lives cannot be brought back, I applaud Governor Abbott, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in doing their best to ensure the safety of our communities, and in turn, greatly assisting us in the process.”

In a letter to BPP Presiding Officer David Gutiérrez and TDCJ Executive Director Bryan Collier, the Governor also directed the agencies to prepare any legislative or administrative recommendations based on the investigation and present a joint report to the Office of the Governor by January 4.