Evatt Joli Hernandez died on December 9, 2020, in Alpine, Texas. Her death was the result of pre-custodial force, according to the custodial death report filed by the Brewster County Sheriff’s Department. Ms. Hernandez was only 27 years old. 

The Texas Rangers investigate custodial deaths in Texas, and a major newspaper outside Texas did research scrutinizing their methods. The Texas Rangers provided the newspaper with approximately 300 files on state investigations that have occurred since 2015. The newspaper also obtained documents from court proceedings, medical examiners, and police departments in the state of Texas. 

Largely, the newspaper reported that the Texas Rangers do substandard investigative work. However, they credited the Rangers with doggedly investigating a particular case involving the 2017 overdose death of an inmate. Records from the investigation show that the inmate had screamed for help while lying on the floor of his cell. Audiotapes, video footage, and interviews from dozens of witnesses ultimately resulted in two jailers facing criminal charges. 

Adverse Claims Regarding Texas Ranger Custodial Investigations

The following is among the claims made by the newspaper that scrutinized the investigation methods of the Texas Rangers:

• No interviews were scheduled in connection with the death of a 47-year-old man in Texas, the newspaper claims. Supposedly, the man died while alone in a cell and bound in a harness. It is also asserted that guards had kicked the man prior to his death.

Learn more in this ongoing series.

There is no intention on this website to make an inference of wrongdoing having occurred on the part of any individuals or entities. The goal in adding posts to this site is to help inmates incarcerated in Texas county jails, whether currently or formerly jailed.

–Guest Contributor