This unit of the DA’s Office is part of the Investigation Division. Its members are investigators, prosecutors and secretaries in the office who have all volunteered to select, investigate, solve and pursue to conviction cases involving criminal homicides and serious felony offenses, where the commission of the offenses are still within the statute of limitations. The Cold Case / Fugitive Unit works as a partner with local law enforcement agencies, the Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers and the Department of the Public Safety to solve these kinds of crimes. The Unit has had remarkable success. So far, the murders of nine people dating from 1981 through 1988 have been solved, eleven persons have been convicted in those murders, and one killer died after indictment. In addition, convictions have been obtained in two aggravated sexual assault cases against children committed in the late 1980’s.

In addition, the Cold Case / Fugitive Unit reviews felony and misdemeanor cases where a defendant either has not been arrested on an issued warrant, or who, having been arrested, jumped bond by failing to appear in court and is a fugitive. This unit also participates in arrest roundups of fugitives.

The members of the Cold Case/ Fugitive Unit determine for themselves the structure of the Unit and establish a clear chain of command and the parameters within which it operates.