Defending Officers at Every Level: Appellate, Civil, & Criminal

CLEAT recently retained legal counsel for three San Antonio PD Officers involved in a civil suit. The officers were found not guilty on Murder and Aggravated Assault charges by a jury of their peers following a justified use of force, after prosecutors engaged in an effort to destroy the officers’ reputations.

The charges were brought less than 24 hours after the incident, and the trial exposed an extreme lack of care in the gathering of critical evidence that would have exonerated our members of any wrongdoing. The unethical actions of the prosecutors are currently under examination by our legal team and the attorneys we retained for the criminal trial.

Officer Villalobos and family react to Not Guilty verdict | Photo: Kens5
Top Photo: SAPD Officer Villalobos, Sgt Flores, Officer Alejandro | Photo: Express News

Officer Taylor’s peace officer license has now been fully reinstated by TCOLE, ending a legal battle that never should have occurred. The case stemmed from a misuse of the Deadly Conduct Statute by Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, part of a broader pattern of activist-driven persecution of law enforcement that has consistently resulted in acquittals or dismissals.

From the outset, CLEAT committed to the legal expertise and financial support necessary to see this case through appeal, acquittal, and reinstatement. This outcome reaffirms that truth still matters and that CLEAT will always stand strong in defense of its members across Texas.

Beyond the courtroom, CLEAT also worked with state lawmakers during the 89th Legislative Session to close the loopholes exploited in this case, strengthening protections for peace officers statewide. 

Austin PD Officer Christopher Taylor | Photo: Austin American Statesman/IMAGN

In the coming weeks, CLEAT Staff Attorney Brad Heilman will be in court with Austin Police Officer Daniel Sanchez as the District Attorney announces whether he will move forward with a second trial against Sanchez after the previous trial ended in a hung jury. Officer Sanchez was charged with deadly conduct following a deadly force encounter that began when a member of the public called police to alert them of a subject waving and firing an assault rifle in a residential neighborhood.

CLEAT Legal is fully prepared for DA Garza to make a second attempt at Officer Sanchez, and our legal team is in trial preparations.

Officer Sanchez exits the courtroom, escorted by Travis County deputies | Photo: Katy Dean, CLEAT