JURY HEARS WITNESSES IN OREGON'S DEATH

Copyright 1998 Houston Chronicle

Harris County grand jurors investigating the death of Pedro Oregon Navarro
started hearing testimony Monday from people who were in the man's apartment
the night police burst in without a warrant and shot him.

Oregon's brother-in-law testified, and his brother had just begun when the
panel broke for the day, said Paul Nugent, an attorney representing the
Oregon family.

Later this week, grand jurors are expected to hear more testimony from
Oregon's brother and a female friend, who was also in the apartment.

The witnesses had no comment as they left the grand jury meeting room.

"They're important witnesses because they were in the apartment when police
came in, and they're the only nonpolice witnesses to the break-in," Nugent
said.

Monday's testimony marked the third day of grand jury deliberations on the
controversial police shooting, which has prompted criticism of police,
protests and calls for justice from local groups and community activists.

Oregon, 22, died July 12 in a hail of bullets fired by six police officers
who were following a tip from an informant that drugs were being sold in the
home.

A shot fired by one officer hit another officer in his bullet-resistant vest
and knocked him to the floor, police said. The officers, who are now on paid
suspensions, apparently thought the shot had been fired by Oregon and they
opened fire.

They fired about 30 rounds, and 12 of them hit Oregon. Nine struck him in
the back, one in the back of the head, one in back of the shoulder and one
in the back of the hand.

No drugs were found in the apartment, and Oregon had not fired a gun at
police, though one was found in the apartment. Oregon, who had no criminal
record, also had no traces of drugs or alcohol in his system.

Richard Mithoff, an attorney for Oregon survivors, said the family is
keeping a close watch on the inquiry.

"They're waiting and, as I've said before, we have explained our system of
justice to them, and they have put their faith in our system," Mithoff said.

The investigating grand jury meets only on Mondays and Wednesdays, and
prosecutors have said they have several days of testimony to present.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst