Appeals court hears arguments in Burke case

Texas’ highest criminal court will decide if the judge in the trial in which former Beaumont police officer David Todd Burke was convicted of official oppression erred by not allowing defense attorneys to strike for cause a potential juror who indicated he might not be able to be fair.

Federal appeals court sides with Beaumont in Newman case

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld a district judge’s ruling that the city of Beaumont should not be a defendant in the civil rights lawsuit of Derrick Newman against two police officers.

‘Zero Tolerance’ policy questioned in Newman appeal arguments

Whether a so-called “zero tolerance policy” instituted by the Beaumont Police Department in designated high-crime areas of the city led to the beating and Tasing of Derrick Newman in August 2007 was the the primary focus of oral arguments in Newman’s civil lawsuit before a federal appeals court Tuesday.

Burke and Guedry only defendants left in Newman civil suit

A federal judge has dismissed three of five Beaumont police officers named as defendants in a civil rights case stemming from the arrest of Derrick Newman during a late-night traffic stop on Aug. 24, 2007.

Appeals court upholds Burke conviction

A Texas appellate court on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former Beaumont police officer David Todd Burke for official oppression.

Guedry to get new trial, judge says

Former Beaumont police officer James Cody Guedry will get a retrial of his official oppression conviction, Jefferson County Criminal District Judge John B. Stevens Jr. said in a written ruling issued Friday, which began, “Sometimes we are faced with decisions between what is easy and what is right.”

Beaumont police chief says department will rebound from setbacks

Beaumont Police Chief Frank Coffin told a media gathering Thursday that after the recent convictions of four officers, morale in the Beaumont Police Department may be in “a downward spiral,” but he expects it will rebound.

Guedry receives probation in Taser case

Beaumont police officer James Cody Guedry was sentencted to 30 days in state jail, probated for 90 days, Tuesday for official oppression stemming in connection with twice using a Taser against Derrick Newman on the night of Aug. 24, 2007, according to a court employee. Guedry was convicted by a Jefferson County jury in December.

Jury finds Guedry guilty of official oppression

James Cody Guedry gave no outward reaction Friday as a Jefferson County jury found the Beaumont police officer guilty of official oppression in connection with twice using a Taser against Derrick Newman on the night of Aug. 24, 2007.

Guedry case goes to the jury

Following compelling closing arguments from both sides, a Jefferson County jury is now deliberating whether Beaumont police officer James Cody Guedry unlawfully and intentionally mistreated Derrick Newman by twice using a Taser against him.