Officer-in-custody death of Javier Ambler to go to grand jury this summer
Photo from Facebook page of Javier Gata Ambler posted on May 26, 2016.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Texas - Before George Floyd, there was an “I can’t breathe” officer in custody death here in Austin. The case will go before a grand jury this summer according to Travis County District attorney Margaret Moore.
Javier Ambler died while being detained by Williamson County deputies in March 2019. He was chased into Austin by the deputies for allegedly not dimming his headlights.
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After crashing his vehicle near the intersection of Saint John’s and Bennett, Williamson County deputies struggled to handcuff Ambler, resulting in the use of a stun gun several times.
Investigators tell FOX7 that the body cam video released to a local media outlet of the arrest was recorded from an Austin police officer at the scene. In the video, Ambler can be heard telling officers and deputies that he has a heart condition and that he cannot breathe.
Photo from Facebook page of Javier Gata Ambler published on July 24, 2014.
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Travis County DA Margaret Moore tells FOX7 a Live PD camera crew was on the scene at the time.
The crew was shadowing the deputies as part of the TV show. The incident was never broadcast.
RELATED: Williamson County Commissioners Court votes to end county's 'Live PD' relationship
Moore also confirmed she is having trouble getting information from the sheriff's office as well as information from the TV production company. The case is being investigated by Moore’s office because the wreck happened in Travis County.
Moore released a statement on Twitter about the investigation, saying that for the last year, the WCSO has "stonewalled" their investigation.
RELATED: Williamson County Commissioners upset with Sheriff Robert Chody over new “Live PD” deal
Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick tells FOX7 he was not immediately informed about the incident by the sheriff's office and recently learned of the details.
He went on to say that his office currently has several other unrelated excessive force investigations underway involving incidents with the Williamson County Sheriff's Office.
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