HCSO corrections officer waives hearing for charge of deadly conduct in fatal shooting
SAN MARCOS — Former Hays County corrections officer Isaiah Garcia, 27, waived his arraignment hearing on Tuesday, May 23, for deadly conduct, a third-degree felony, in the shooting death of Joshua Leon Wright, 36.
Deadly conduct, according to the Texas Penal Code, occurs when a person recklessly engages in conduct that places another in imminent danger of serious bodily injury. A person commits an offense if he knowingly discharges a firearm at or in the direction of one or more individuals or a habitation, building or vehicle and is reckless as to whether the habitation, building or vehicle is occupied.
“What we’ve been discussing is if there’s a possibility to increase the charges to maybe negligent homicide or manslaughter versus just deadly conduct, which basically means he fired his weapon in a public building,” said Natalie Freeman, a family friend. “It’s not taking into account that a life was actually lost.”
Much to the dismay of family, friends and supporters of Wright, Garcia did not appear in court to enter a plea of “not guilty” to the charge.
“One day, I’m going to look him in the eye and I want to, because I want to know why he felt that threatened that he had to kill my son in that manner,” said Wright’s mother, Beverly Wright. “The day will come when I will. I don’t expect any answers from him or his attorneys or anybody else, but I want to look him in the eye and me? I have a good perception of people. Was it hatred? Did you hate him that much? I don’t know what his reason was, but I know that it was unjustified, it was excessive.”
The shooting of Wright occurred at Ascension Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle on Dec. 12, 2022 as Garcia was guarding the door of Wright, a pretrial detainee, charged with misdemeanor crimes such as unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, bail jumping, failure to appear, reckless driving, criminal mischief and evading arrest and detention, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.
In a statement issued by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office following the slaying, Wright allegedly assaulted Garcia in an attempt to escape. The then corrections officer subsequently discharged his firearm and shot the inmate. Though life-saving measures were initiated by hospital staff, Wright succumbed to his injuries.
At a press conference in January, the family’s legal team described the findings of its own investigation, which includes a second autopsy requested at the behest of the family. According to that autopsy, Garcia shot Wright six times as the inmate allegedly attempted to flee. Their findings, however, are “limited,” as the HCSO has not released the footage from Garcia’s body camera, attorney Chevo Pastrano said.
According to their investigation, Wright suffered a medical emergency, which required his transport by two officers to Ascension Seton Hays in the early hours of Dec. 12. After several hours, the officers were relieved by Garcia — “the sole jailer in custody of Wright,” the attorney explained. At some point in time, Wright’s handcuffs were removed so that he could use the bathroom, although his feet remained shackled. While washing his hands, a scuffle ensued between Wright and Garcia. After a “shove” by Wright, who attempted to flee, Garcia fired his service weapon and struck the victim six times, with one shot entering the spinal cord — what Pastrano described as paralyzing.
“Only at that point did it come to the very disgusting realization that Officer Garcia continued to fire upon Wright,” the attorney said.
According to Pastrano, one of the six shots entered his lower chest, went through the torso and came to rest in the victim’s neck, indicating that the round was fired when Wright was already on the ground.
“If they’re not hiding anything, they should release [the footage]. And so we’re seeing that more and more that there’s just injustices in all of Hays County. There needs to be change. There needs to be reform,” said Natalie Freeman.
Following Garcia’s indictment on April 7, HCSO confirmed he is no longer employed by the agency.
“Pursuant to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office policies and practices, and in response to the indictment related to the shooting of Joshua Wright, the officer involved is no longer employed with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office,” the release stated. “While the Hays County Sheriff’s Office strongly supports our deputies and corrections officers and the duties, many of which put their safety at risk, that they must carry out on a daily basis, we also respect and honor the criminal justice process, including yesterday’s decision by the Grand Jury to move forward with charges in this case. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office again offers its deepest sympathies to the Wright family. It is our sincere hope that all of the citizens of Hays County can come together to foster peace in our community and our country.”
Following the proceedings Tuesday, lawyers of the family said that justice will not be served until the Hays County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes Garcia for the slaying of Wright.
“I just really want them to know that we’re not going to buckle under the pressure of them ignoring things, this only gives us more energy to fight for this cause because we believe God loves justice and he is fighting that battle,” said pastor Hillary Lockhart.
