JUDGE RULES FORMER CRIME STOPPERS PRESIDENT DOES NOT HAVE TO RETURN INFO-COUNCIL
The former chairman of Brenham Washington County Crime Stoppers, who was detained in Washington County Jail after failing to release details of an anonymous tip, says a judge ruled in his favor on the matter .
A judge on Thursday ruled that John Deans would not have to hand over the tip to defense attorneys in a child sexual assault case, ruling that the tip did not contain exculpatory evidence for the defendant.
Deans said he was happy with the result.
Deans received a subpoena from Conroe-based defense attorney Brian Burns, representing Terry Dale Stegmann, Jr. of Brenham, to appear in 21st District court at the end of February. Deans was held in contempt of court by Judge Carson Campbell after he refused to provide the content of advice submitted to his organization regarding the case.
Deans was sentenced to 180 days in the Washington County Jail, without the possibility of bail. According to Deans, Justice of the Peace Douglas Zwiener told him his sentence would be repeated 10 days at a time for 180 days unless he decided to tip. After a day in jail, Deans tipped the judge.
Two months later, Deans would return to court on Thursday morning for a hearing with the judge and the three defense team attorneys, where the judge said the tip would not go to the defense and would be returned to Crime Stoppers. .
The organization is now looking for a new president, as Deans resigned from his post following the legal process.
Deans said he was the first Crime Stoppers official to be imprisoned in Texas state history. He said he was kept alone in a cell for his protection, adding that he was treated very well by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
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