Expert: Robin Sexton - 5/14/2008

Question
My grandson was killed in Houston Texas on April 25, 2008. No one has been arrested or questioned as far as the family knows. The detective over his case refuses to return my phone calls. What can I do, I live in Illinois.

Answer
Lillie,
 I am terribly sorry for your loss and for the treatment you have been receiving.
Obviously I can't tell you exactly what the problem is.  Houston is a very busy city and like all agencies I am know they are very over worked.  That does not excuse staying in touch with family regarding the case.  I doubt that no one has been questioned.  As far as an arrest unfortunately not all cases are solved, just a very unfortunate fact of life.
You are dealing with a very large agency.  Let me give a few words of advise since I am on this side.  The detective has many other cases just as important although admittedly not to you and they have a finite amount of hours.  They have to spend the majority of their time on cases with a higher probability potential of solving then others.  Sometimes due to the grief and frustration of the families they take it out on the investigator.  This is very harmful to the communication that is needed.  This is not unexpected and should be accepted by the officer.
 It sounds like the communication between the family and the detective has fallen apart.  What needs to be done is to generate new lines of communication.
Suggestions,
     Select one person, can be family, friend, or some person that is not emotionally involved to try to open communications.  In some cases I have seen the departments get so tied up in responding to requests for information they are no longer investigating.
     This person should begin with the original investigator and begin a friendly dialogue to clear the air.  Then periodic calls can be made for new information or questions.
     If the investigator still is uncooperative then you need to move up the chain of command, to the unit supervisor, commander and if necessary to the chief.  A suggestion, when calling talk to the secretary's about the issue.  They are the ones who actually can get things straightened out for you.
     Another option is all large departments have victims rights units.  You can try calling them and see what headway you can make.  Here is information on Houston's

Victim Services Unit at 713-308-0080 or call the Crime Victim Services Division of the Office of the Attorney General at 1-800-983-9933 or visit their website at http://www.oag.state.tx.us/victims/cvc.shtml

One last word of advise resist until all else fails in enlisting the aid of a Attorney, in most situations it is like throwing gas on a fire.

Again I am terribly sorry to you and your family for this very painful loss.  I also apologize from a professional level on the added pain this has caused you.


Good luck


Robin