'A no-brainer for no bond': Families furious after capital murder suspect released on bond twice
Devan Jordon was released on bond after
the murder of a young Houston man. Then, he was charged with the murder
of a League City man. Now, he's out on bond again.
By Michelle Homer
KHOU 11
March 31, 2022
HOUSTON — Two Houston-area families are demanding answers after the suspect charged with murdering their loved ones was released on bond twice.
Devan Jordon, 21, posted a $1 million bond Wednesday in Galveston County where he was charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a League City businessman during a robbery last June.
"This was a no-brainer for no bond," Crime Stoppers Director of Victim Services Andy Kahan said Thursday. "I don't know how you can come to the conclusion that he is not a walking, ticking time bomb that's a threat to everybody within a multi-county jurisdiction."
In November, Jordon bonded out of the Harris County Jail on a $500,000 bond for another capital murder charge.
“I have never in my life seen a defendant released on multiple bonds for capital murder in two different counties,” Kahan said. “Two bonds for two capital murders? ... That’s not gonna go over.”
Kahan said capital murder is the only crime in Texas where judges do not have to grant a bond. He said Jordon's history of violence should have been enough for both judges to keep him behind bars.
Devan Jordon timeline
When those murders happened, Kahan said Jordon was out on bond in Fort Bend County on an aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon charge.
Dec. 4, 2019: Aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in Fort Bend County; posts $150,000 bond
April 14, 2021: Two felony evading arrest charges in Harris County; the notes in the court documents called Jordon "a threat to community safety," Kahan said. Released on bond
May 19, 2021: Harris County said Jordon never appeared in court and never had a GPS put on. He was ordered to report to court on May 27.
May 27, 2021: Joshua Sandoval, 28, was shot and killed during a robbery in Rice Military.
June 11, 2021: Jeffrey Johnson was shot and killed during a robbery outside his League City home.
Oct. 4, 2021: Houston police announce the arrest of Jordon for the capital murder of Sandoval.
November 2021: Jordon posted a $500,000 bond and was set free.
Dec. 20, 2021: Jordon was arrested and charged with capital murder in Johnson's death.
March 30, 2022: Jordon was released from the Galveston County Jail after a judge set his bond at $1 million.
Victim #1: Joshua Sandoval
The mother, sister and brother of Joshua Sandoval spoke at the news conference Thursday.
His mother said she's devastated and in disbelief that her son's alleged killer is out on the streets again.
"He spread nothing but joy his entire life. He could light up a room instantly with a smile," big brother Omar Sandoval said. "His personality, his energy, his warmth were just infectious."
"Something I carry around in my purse with me, as a reminder, this is a picture of me holding my brother's hand hours before we had to let him go," sister Aimee Castillo said.
She doesn't want other families to have to endure the same pain and heartache.
"It is time for us to fight back. Judges need to face the facts and wake up – no bond for repeat violent felony offenders," she said.
Kahan said they know of at least 110 capital murder defendants currently out on bond in Harris County. But Jordon is the only one charged with two capital murders who's out on bond.
Victim #2: Jeffrey Johnson
After his release in November, Jordon was arrested in Galveston County where he was charged with the League City murder.
In that case, Jeffrey Johnson and his wife were followed home from the Capital Grille restaurant in the Galleria area last June. After the victim's wife went inside, robbers ambushed Johnson and shot him.
In December, investigators identified Jordon as Johnson's killer and he was charged with another count of capital murder.
He remained in the Galveston County Jail until this week.
According to Crime Stoppers, Jordon was also on bond out of Fort Bend County on a charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.
"The public needs to be warned that this defendant is back out in the community and based on his track record, someone will more than likely pay the price," Kahan said.
Investigators said Jordon was part of an organized crime ring responsible for several violent robberies that stalked people in the Galleria area. They targeted victims at high-end shops and restaurants.
The victims included two New Orleans police officers shot and killed outside Grotto restaurant last August. Jordon was not named as a suspect in the Grotto shooting.
We reached out to both judges who set bonds for Jordon and neither wanted to comment.
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Attorney defends capital murder suspect granted bond in two cases
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A man facing two capital murder charges posted a $1 million bond this week, frustrating victims' families. However, the defense attorney representing Devan Jordon said there are two sides to the story.
“This young man is not the shooter in any one of these cases," attorney Letitia Quinones said. “He deserves the right for his parents and his family to want to try their best to do what they can to save his life, too."
The 21-year-old is facing charges in three counties, Harris, Fort Bend and Galveston. In two counties, he's facing capital murder charges. One for the death of Joshua Sandoval who was shot during a robbery last May at his Rice Military townhome.
The other is for the death of Jeff Johnson who was killed during a
robbery in June outside his home in League City. Police said he and his
wife were followed home from The Capital Grille on Westheimer.
Investigators told KHOU 11 News Jordon was the one who rented the car
used in the crime spree.
“He is a ticking time bomb, there is no way anyone in the public is safe while he is out here," said Andy Kahan, Director of Victims Services for Crime Stoppers, where Sandoval's family spoke at a news conference.
“Josh’s light was diminished too soon because of the negligence of the court system," said Aimee Castillo, Sandoval's sister.
She's frustrated because Jordon was granted so many bonds.
Court records show in a separate evading arrest case in Harris County, a bond violation report where he never showed up to get his ankle monitor.
“Joshua was my only son, I don’t get a second chance to raise another child," said Glinda Martin, Sandoval's mother.
Jordan’s attorney says his family is supporting him. That’s one reason he was able to make bond and she says they will be working with him to abide by his curfew.
We reached out to Judge Jason Luong in the 185th District Court in Harris County and Judge Lonnie Cox in the 56th District Court in Galveston County, both of which granted bond in the capital murder cases. Both told KHOU 11 News they have no comment.
1 comment:
Judge Lonnie Cox granted Bond on a Capital Murder case in Galveston County? I'm surprised. He is known to be a conservative Republican judge.
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