HOUSTON — This November, Texas voters will decide on 17 proposed amendments to the state constitution. One of the most debated measures is Proposition 3, which could give judges more authority to deny bail to people accused of serious violent crimes.
Supporters: Protecting communities from repeat offenders
Supporters say Proposition 3 is about keeping dangerous individuals off the streets. Andy Kahan, a crime victim advocate with Crime Stoppers of Houston, points to cases where repeat offenders committed violent acts while out on bond.
“Over 200 people who have been murdered by defendants released on felony or PR bonds. Some of those, I’m certain, if Prop 3 had passed, the judge would have denied bond — and those people would be alive today,” Kahan said.
One notable case involved 71-year-old Martha Medina, killed in a McDonald’s parking lot during a violent purse snatching. The now convicted killer was out on bond for another capital murder at the time…