Travis County DA asks for changes to state law after sex assault cases dismissed

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Travis County District Attorney José Garza is asking for changes to state law in prosecuting sexual assault cases after his office dismissed charges Tuesday against two suspects connected with 2020 cases.

Garza said his office believes the victims in the cases were sexually assaulted but Texas law does not meet his office's understanding of sexual assault and "creates a burden that is very difficult to meet."

The sexual assault charges were dismissed Tuesday for insufficient evidence, according to court documents.

"As a result, we are unable to move forward at this time," Garza said in a statement. "Working on this case has highlighted for our office the very real problems that the Texas Sex Assault Statute creates when trying to bring justice to victims. We are committed to working to change that."

In turn, Garza is asking for elected leaders to create reforms that protect sexual assault survivors.

Charlie Baird, an attorney for one of the suspects, said his client is pleased to close the "most unfortunate chapter" of his life.

"We thank Jose Garza and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office for their careful review of this case, and respecting their duty to seek justice, not convictions," Baird said in part. "The dismissal of this case represents justice. It was worth the wait." 

KXAN has reached out to Garza's office for more information on how these cases do not meet the threshold to prosecute.