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| Kin of Cop Allegedly Slain by Texas Escapees Sues |
| By Reuters |
| Published: 08/09/2001 |
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The family of a police officer allegedly killed by the prison escapees dubbed 'The Texas Seven' sued the state's prison system on Tuesday, claiming negligence led to the December 2000 breakout. Relatives of Forth Worth, Texas, police officer Aubrey Hawkins, who was gunned down last Christmas eve after stumbling across the violent escapees during a holdup at a sporting goods store, filed the suit against the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Tarrant County Probate Court, Hawkins family attorney Dick DeGuerin said. 'The prison system was grossly negligent in allowing these desperadoes to escape. They are morally responsible,' said DeGuerin, who represented Branch Davidian leader David Koresh during his 1993 standoff against federal agents. DeGuerin said the prison system's internal investigation pointed out numerous faults, including the fact that the escapees got away from the Connally prison near Kenedy in South Texas with a cache of guns. 'We've stated all along that we too are saddened by Officer Hawkins' death, but we will address the matter of the lawsuit in the judicial system,' prisons spokesman Larry Todd said. The state's exposure in the suit is no more than $500,000, the maximum amount of damages a state agency can be held liable for under Texas law. George Rivas, considered the ringleader of the seven inmates who escaped Dec. 13, 2000, goes on trial for capital murder in Hawkins' death on Monday. In a case that captured national attention, the escapees remained at large for more than a month before four were picked up Jan. 22, two others on Jan. 24, when one killed himself. |
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