GRAND JURY FOCUSES ON OREGON'S SLAYING

Harris County grand jurors began hearing testimony Wednesday in the case of
Pedro Oregon Navarro, who was killed by Houston police who had burst into
his home without a warrant.

Meeting behind closed doors, grand jurors heard testimony throughout the
day as shouts from protesters calling for justice could be heard ringing
through the courthouse complex.

"Pedro Oregon's family wants a full and vigorous investigation because they
fear a token investigation where the police will be ultimately exonerated,
and it's business as usual for the police department," said Paul Nugent, an
attorney representing Oregon's relatives.

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.

Prosecutors say they expect to take testimony for at least two weeks.

Nugent said the shooting, which has prompted numerous protests, deserves
close scrutiny and that prosecutors have agreed to allow others who were in
the apartment that night to testify before grand jurors.

Nugent said the police department tried to mislead the public about the
shooting and he hopes prosecutors and grand jurors aren't misled as well.

Copyright 1998 Houston Chronicle

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski