Critical of no-bill, Oregon grand juror wants to go to feds Critics of a Harris County grand jury's vote to clear six Houston police officers of homicide in the shooting death of Mexican national Pedro Oregon Navarro have a convert with inside information -- the assistant foreman of that grand jury. Simon Rodriguez tells The Insider he wants to talk about his criticism of the grand jury's action, but is prevented by an oath of secrecy enjoining jurors from discussing their deliberations. [continues 2042 words]
About 200 people summoned by the Justice for Pedro Oregon Coalition surrounded a makeshift podium in Market Square Park last week for a rally marking a national day of protest against police violence. Houston police cars and mounted patrolmen formed a wider, more discreet cordon around the area, just in case things got out of hand. But the city had no need to be worried. The gathering could have doubled as a "Greatest Hits of Houston Protest" reunion. Faces in the forefront of picket lines here for the last 30 years mugged once again for the cameras -- both media and presumably police undercover shutterbugs. Protesters were joined by younger recruits still trying to get the hang of this demonstration thing. [continues 641 words]
