Despite the fact that Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar has said that he believes Andreen McDonald is dead and that her husband is responsible, Andre McDonald is only charged with tampering with evidence. Salazar said investigators have found blood, an ax and a shovel with dirt on it at the McDonald home, the couple's Chevrolet Malibu, Andre McDonald's cellphone and his wife's old cellphone. Andre McDonald was arrested on suspicion of "altering, concealing and destroying" evidence, an arrest affidavit said. "He might be charged with tampering because the district attorney's office isn't prepared to prosecute him for homicide," said Geary Reamey, a criminal law professor at St Mary's University. Related: Andreen McDonald's mother bracing for worst Even if Andreen McDonald's body is never found, Reamey said Andre McDonald could still end up being charged with murder. Reamey admits not having a body poses legal challenges. "First, you have to convince the jury that a person was actually killed. Then, you have to persuade the jury that the killing was unlawful," Reamey said. For a murder conviction, prosecutors must show what type of homicide occurred. "We could have a negligent homicide, we could have a reckless killing, we could have an intentional killing. Those are all different types of homicides, and they carry different punishments," Reamey said. Andre McDonald is being held in the Bexar County Jail on $2 million bail. Reamey said $2 million bail is unusually high for a tampering with evidence charge and may indicate prosecutors may be trying to keep him behind bars while they build a bigger case. There is no statute of limitations for murder, so it could take months -- or even years -- for investigators to build a case. Related: Missing woman described as fitness fanatic, motivator Even though there is no time limit, Reamey said because evidence deteriorates, the sooner the district attorney's office upgrades the charge, the better, if it wants a conviction. Crews will resume the search for Andreen McDonald on Saturday at Camp Bullis, eight days after she was reported missing.
| |
| View this email in your browser |
| | | Andreen McDonald's husband could face murder charge despite lack of body | | Despite the fact that Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar has said that he believes Andreen McDonald is dead and that her husband is responsible,... | | Read More |
|
| | | Man sentenced to 75 years in prison for murder of man whose body found in barrel | | Prosecutors called the murder of Joseph Camarena an execution, and after two hours of deliberation, a jury sentenced Jessie Castilla to 75 years in... | | Read More |
|
| | | | | | Ex-jailer accused of repeatedly punching inmate avoids trial | | A former Bexar County Sheriff's Office detention officer agreed to permanently surrender his state law enforcement license on Friday, days before he... | | Read More |
|
| | | Man arrested after deputies seize nearly $1M in meth in Uvalde County | | A 20-year-old man from Eagle Pass was arrested Friday morning after a traffic stop led to the discovery of 22 pounds of methamphetamine in his... | | Read More |
|
| | SPONSORED BY Circle K Secret Word of the Day Contest Watch the 5 p.m. newscast Monday-Friday for a chance to win a $50 gift card! Learn More |
| | | | Bulverde police sergeant resigns after trying to pay undercover cop for sex act: SAPD | | A Bulverde police sergeant turned in his badge after he was caught trying to pay for a sex act during a prostitution sting on the city's South Side,... | | Read More |
|
| | | Youth Orchestras of SA still performing Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' in concert | | Monday evening’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” by the Youth Orchestras of San Antonio, or YOSA, was nearly a year in the planning, said... | | Read More |
|
| | | | | | Couple narrowly escapes injury after SUV plows into NW Side home | | A loud thud and the sound of glass breaking replaced an alarm clock for Maria and Onesimo Castillo early Friday morning.The commotion woke them up out... | | Read More |
|
| | | SAPD: 4 men accused of stealing $6000 worth of merchandise from Saks | | A suspect was arrested and three other men are on the run after police say they stole $6000 worth of merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue at North Star... | | Read More |
|
| | | | | | Southeast side restaurant serving up some 'big' steak options | | Jose Hoffman is trying to keep his father's legacy alive by continuing a tradition in owning a steakhouse on the southeast side. What was once called... | | Read More |
|
| | | Miami Herald: Trump watched Super Bowl with ex-spa owner | | A Florida woman who once owned the day spa where Patriots owner Robert Kraft allegedly solicited sexual acts watched the Super Bowl with President... | | Read More |
|
| | |
|
| |
