Pubdate: Tue, 28 Sep 1999
Source: Houston Chronicle (TX)
Copyright: 1999 Houston Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.chron.com/
Forum: http://www.chron.com/content/hcitalk/index.html
Author: Deborah Tedford

EX-OFFICERS IN OREGON CASE SET TO APPEAR IN COURT TODAY

Two former Houston police officers charged in the shooting death of
Pedro Oregon Navarro are scheduled for initial appearances -- and
possible arraignment -- before a federal magistrate at 10 a.m. today.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Calvin Botley will read the civil rights charges
against former Sgt. Darrel H. Strouse, 35, and James R. Willis, 29.

The two were indicted last week on charges of conspiracy to violate
the civil rights of Oregon and his brother, Rogelio, to be free from
unreasonable search and seizure when the officers entered Rogelio's
apartment July 12, 1998.

Prosecutors said the officers did not have a search warrant or consent
to enter when they and four other officers went to the apartment.

Once inside, some of the officers pursued Oregon to a bedroom, where
he was shot.

The officers have said Oregon approached them with a gun. An unfired
gun was found by the body.

Strouse and Willis were allegedly involved in planning the illegal
entry into the apartment but not in the shooting.

Attorney Michael Ramsey, who represents Strouse, predicted prosecutors
will try to keep details of the shooting from jurors because they
would not support the charges.

The Department of Justice launched its own investigation after a state
grand jury indicted only Willis -- on a charge of misdemeanor
trespassing. He was acquitted.

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