Two homicides resolved in the last 30 days…

As of April 22, 2022 Waller County had eleven (11) indicted homicides (murder, intoxication manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and manslaughter). Until about a year ago the Texas Supreme Court prohibited all courts from having jury trials. This prohibition worked toward generating an even greater backlog in already busy courts all across the State of Texas. Fortunately, our Waller County Criminal Justice System came roaring back to life with a capital murder trial resulting in life in prison without parole for Victor Tome in June of 2021. Since then the court system here has been busy, and the men and women of Waller County have been faithfully showing up for jury duty, both regular and grand. Over the last thirty days two of these eleven homicides have been resolved.

On June 17, 2022, Neal Ray Arizola, aged 40, was convicted and sentenced to forty years in prison for the February 25, 2020 murder of Adrian Zavala, Jr. by driving while intoxicated. Driving while intoxicated and killing someone usually carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, but because of Arizola’s criminal history and the way Mr. Zavala was killed the D.A.’s office was able to enhance his charge to a first degree felony. Potential drunk drivers please take note as we head into a holiday weekend. This case was prosecuted by Sean Whittmore of the D.A.’s Office.

In addition, Eric Vanduren, aged 28 was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the shooting and subsequent death of Terrence Johnson in Hempstead on August 29, 2019. Both of these deaths were entirely preventable and resulted from a series of poor life choices made by both defendants. This case was prosecuted by Melissa Hudspeth of the D.A.’s Office.

Please continue to faithfully show up for jury duty to ensure that Waller County defendants and the State of Texas receive the fair trials we should all expect. We cannot do much about what happens in Austin or Washington D.C., but we can work hard to protect this place we call home. From all of us here at the Waller County D.A.’s Office we wish each and every one of you a Happy Juneteenth weekend and a Happy Father’s Day. Be safe and enjoy yourselves responsibly.