AUSTIN (KXAN) — After a nine-day trial in Travis County, jurors found two former Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies not guilty for the in-custody death of Javier Ambler.
Ambler died in March 2019 after leading police on a 20-minute chase, crashing at the intersection of St. John’s and Bethune Avenue. Former deputies James Johnson and Zach Camden were accused of acting recklessly while trying to arrest Ambler by using a Taser, despite Ambler telling officers he had a heart condition. A Travis County jury ultimately acquitted the deputies after a nine-day trial.
Several local leaders and groups issued statements reacting to the verdict.
Travis County District At torney José Garza said in a statement, “Our hearts continue to break for the family of Javier Ambler. We hoped that the outcome of this trial would bring justice and closure to the family. We are grateful to our community members who served on the jury for this case, respect their decision, and thank them for their service.”
Jason Johnson, President of the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund issued the following statement:
Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund is a nonprofit that aids the defense of wrongfully accused police officers and supported the case of deputies Johnson and Camden.
This verdict is both a vindication for these law officers and a victory for justice and public safety. Twelve honest citizens recognized that Travis County’s radical prosecutor Jose Garza was trying to railroad these cops. No one is above the law and no one deserves to face a double standard. LELDF is proud to have helped see justice done and these deputies’ freedom won.
Jason Johnson, President of LELDF
The Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, or CLEAT, which is Texas’ largest law enforcement union organization, issued a statement saying, “While these two deputies were not our members, we made sure they were taken care of by securing their legal defense. Law enforcement officers deserve legal representation, especially against a DA who pledged to prosecute as many cops as he could while in office.”
Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock said on social media, “A swift and unanimous jury decision. It’s time for Garza to stop painting law enforcement as the enemy.”
The case against Johnson and Camden was tried by the Director of Civil Rights and Appeals Division Dexter Gilford, Assistant Director of Civil Rights and Appeals Division Holly Taylor, and Assistant District Attorneys Destinee Williams and Jeff Flanagan.