Former Brazos County DA Named Special Prosecutor in Uvalde Criminal Proceedings

Bryan, Texas

The criminal proceedings against two officers, accused of inaction during the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde in May 2022, have taken a crucial turn. According to sources, former Brazos County District Attorney Bill Turner has been entrusted with the role of special prosecutor in the case involving former Uvalde Schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo.

Crucial Turn in the Uvalde School Shooting Case

A grand jury has indicted the two officers for their purported failure to act appropriately during the shocking event. Bill Turner, a highly respected figure in the field of law and justice, is now in charge of Aberdondo’s prosecution. Turner’s former Assistant District Attorney, Shane Phelps, spoke about their time working together and Turner’s proficiency in handling prominent cases.

Bill Turner: A Profile

Shane Phelps met Turner in 1991 when Phelps was serving at the Attorney General’s office. It was then that the elected County Attorney, Jim Kuboviak, asked Phelps to assist in prosecuting the sheriff of Brazos County over gambling charges. It turned out to be a high-profile political case, and that introduction triggered a long professional association between Phelps and Tuner. Turner was serving as Brazos County DA at the time.

Turner kickstarted his career as an Assistant DA in 1978, moving up the ladder to become DA just five years later. Phelps claims that Turner requested him to serve as First Assistant DA in 2001, a position he held for the next decade.

Turner’s Professional Credibility

Phelps praised Turner’s commitment, dedication, and professional ethics. “Bill has many really positive attributes as a prosecutor, and one of those is that he has a well-developed underlying philosophy about what it means to be a prosecutor, and the oath that prosecutors take to do justice. So, he really does see both sides. I can’t imagine Bill proceeding with a case that he didn’t believe in,” asserted Phelps.

The Cases At Hand

As of now, Turner is overseeing the prosecution case against Pete Arrendondo, the former Uvalde Schools Police Chief. Arrendondo, on July 15, waived his arraignment, pleading not guilty to 10 counts of abandoning and endangering a child. A former officer with Uvalde CISD, Adrian Gonzales, also pleaded not guilty to 29 felony counts for his alleged actions on May 24, 2022, when a gunman attacked the school, taking 21 lives. Gonzales’s next hearing is scheduled for September, while Arteondo’s future course of action remains uncertain.

Reflecting on the merit of Turner’s appointment, Phelps expressed his absolute conviction in Turner’s capabilities: “I think that if there is a prosecutor in the state of Texas who is better suited to do that particular job, I can’t think of anybody. Like I say, Bill is a very principled individual, a very principled attorney, a formidable trial lawyer. If Bill Turner thinks you need to be held accountable in court, you are likely going to be held accountable in court.”

Bidding Adieu to a Glorious Career

Turner concluded his tenure as the Brazos County District Attorney in 2012, after nearly 30 years of committed service. He later made headlines in 2022, when it was announced that he was among several outside attorneys recruited to assist the DA overseeing the criminal investigation into the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.

What’s Next?

With the appointment of Turner as the special prosecutor, it is expected that the judgement in these high-profile criminal proceedings will be fair and impartial — living up to the pledge of a prosecutor’s oath to do justice.