Tim Miller, father of Laura Miller and founder of Texas EquuSearch, shown in a Galveston County courtroom.
The James Elmore Jr. trial moves into testimony Tuesday in Galveston County.
The court released Tuesday’s schedule.
Prosecutors expect Tim Miller to testify. Miller is Laura Miller’s father and the founder of Texas EquuSearch.
His testimony could become one of the most closely watched moments of the trial.
Tim Miller expected to take the stand
Tim Miller has spent decades searching for answers in the death of his daughter, Laura Miller. He is expected to be the prosecution’s first witness in the James Elmore Jr. trial.
Miller spent years searching for answers about his daughter’s death.
More recently, he had repeated contact with Elmore.
Miller has said he met privately with Elmore dozens of times after Elmore approached him with information about Laura’s death. Those conversations eventually became part of the renewed investigation.
Prosecutors expect Miller to testify about those contacts with Elmore.
Elmore faces a manslaughter charge in Laura Miller’s death.
He pleaded not guilty.
Opening statements expected Tuesday
James Elmore Jr. appears in court ahead of his scheduled manslaughter trial in Galveston County.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The court will formally read the charge before opening statements.
Assistant District Attorney Katelyn Willis will give the prosecution’s opening statement. Willis leads the Violence Against Women Division.
ADA Adam Poole also represents the state. He leads the Felony Division but will not give an opening statement.
Defense attorney William “Bill” Agnew is not expected to give an opening statement immediately after the prosecution, according to the current schedule.
Manslaughter case goes before jury first
James Elmore Jr. appears in the 122nd District Court ahead of his manslaughter trial in the death of Laura Miller.
Elmore is charged with manslaughter in connection with Laura Miller’s death and with two counts of tampering with evidence involving the remains of Laura Miller and Audrey Cook.
He has pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Trial expected to continue through Friday
James Elmore Jr. appears in court as proceedings move toward testimony in the manslaughter case involving Laura Miller’s death.
The court currently expects testimony to continue through Friday, Sept. 4.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. each day and conclude around 5 p.m.
The schedule could change depending on testimony and other issues that arise during the trial.
I will continue following the James Elmore Jr. trial and will report new developments as they happen.
Texas Department of Public Safety missing person bulletin for Rebecca “Becky” Beard, who disappeared in 1986.
Brazoria County seeks to withhold Rebecca Beard records
Brazoria County prosecutors are asking the Texas Attorney General for permission to withhold records connected to the renewed investigation into the 1986 disappearance and murder of Rebecca “Becky” Beard.
The August 25 filing also reveals new details about the investigation.
Prosecutors confirmed investigators examined information involving possible additional suspects in Beard’s murder. They also confirmed investigators recently presented their findings to a Brazoria County grand jury.
The grand jury took no action.
Records request targeted 2026 investigation
I submitted a Texas Public Information Act request on August 10 seeking records related to the 2026 investigation.
The request focused on information provided by Cherie Starr, also known as “Rio.”
I requested interviews, statements, reports, recordings, photographs, maps and investigative notes connected to Starr’s information.
I also sought records concerning any location Starr identified as a possible site for Beard’s remains or other evidence.
The request included records involving a possible search, excavation or dig.
I also requested communications between the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers and other law enforcement agencies.
Importantly, the request did not seek secret grand jury testimony, deliberations, voting records or juror identities.
Brazoria County confirms responsive records exist
The District Attorney’s Office confirmed it holds records that respond to the request.
However, prosecutors want to withhold those records in their entirety.
In its August 25 letter to the Texas Attorney General, the DA’s Office cited the law-enforcement exception under Section 552.108 of the Texas Government Code.
Prosecutors argue that Beard’s murder investigation remains open because her body has never been recovered.
They contend releasing the requested records could interfere with that continuing investigation.
Filing reveals investigation of possible additional suspects
The filing provides an important glimpse into what happened during the renewed investigation.
Prosecutors wrote that their office had recently investigated “other possible actors/defendants” in Beard’s murder.
According to the filing, investigators presented those findings to a Brazoria County grand jury.
The DA’s Office said the grand jury took no action because investigators did not develop other credible suspects.
That disclosure provides new information about the scope of the 2026 investigation.
It shows investigators did more than simply review an old case file. They examined whether other people may have played a role in Beard’s murder and brought those findings before a grand jury.
Paul Taylor was convicted, but Becky remains missing
John Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in 1995 to murdering Beard.
Beard was 22 when she disappeared in March 1986.
Her body has never been recovered.
The DA’s filing cites that fact as one reason the murder investigation remains open. Prosecutors argue law enforcement must remain able to investigate credible new leads if they emerge.
Prosecutors also claim attorney work-product protection
The District Attorney’s Office makes another argument for withholding the records.
Prosecutors say the requested investigative notes and materials contain attorney work product.
According to the filing, a DA investigator prepared the records while working at the direction of an appointed special prosecutor.
The DA argues the documents contain investigative strategy, mental impressions and legal reasoning connected to potential criminal litigation.
For those reasons, prosecutors asked the Attorney General to allow them to withhold all of the responsive records.
The Attorney General will decide
The August 25 filing is not a final ruling on my records request.
It is Brazoria County’s argument for why the records should remain confidential.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office will now review the arguments and determine whether state law allows Brazoria County to withhold the requested material.
The decision could allow the county to withhold the records, require the release of some information, or require additional responsive material to be released.
I will continue following the records dispute and the investigation into what happened to Rebecca Beard.
The public records request and Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office filing to the Texas Attorney General are attached below.
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Sheriff Department Scam Call: I Almost Fell for It
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
I receive unusual phone calls almost every day as a reporter. Most are tips, questions, or requests for information.
But one phone call caught me completely off guard.
Someone claiming to be with a sheriff’s department called and said I had missed a federal grand jury summons. The caller sounded calm, professional, and convincing. They provided a name and a badge number, then even transferred me to what appeared to be the sheriff’s office.
For a moment, I believed it.
In fact, I drove to the sheriff’s office to find out what was going on.
That’s when I learned the call wasn’t legitimate.
They Called Again
This week, I received two more calls that appeared to be from the same scam.
This time, I didn’t answer.
Instead, I let the calls go to voicemail because I immediately recognized the warning signs from my previous experience.
The voicemail claimed to be from someone identifying themselves as:
“Anthony Little, badge number 5254…”
The recording was difficult to understand, but it was enough to remind me how convincing these scams can sound.
(Listen to the voicemail below.)
Why This Scam Is So Effective
The people behind these calls know exactly how to create panic.
They often claim you’ve:
Missed jury duty.
Missed a federal grand jury summons.
Have an outstanding warrant.
Must respond immediately to avoid arrest.
The goal is simple: convince you to act before you have time to think.
Fortunately, I already knew something wasn’t right because I had experienced a similar scam before.
What Should You Do?
If you receive a call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency:
Stay calm.
Do not provide personal information.
Never send money or gift cards.
Do not follow payment instructions given over the phone.
Hang up and contact the agency using its publicly listed phone number.
Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not typically demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten arrest unless you act immediately.
One Lesson I Won’t Forget
Looking back, I don’t mind admitting that I almost believed the first call.
That’s exactly why these scams continue to work.
If someone who spends a career asking questions can momentarily wonder whether a call is real, imagine how convincing these callers can sound to someone who has never encountered this type of scam before.
The experience reminded me that it’s always better to verify information through official channels than to react out of fear.
Have You Received One?
Have you received a similar phone call claiming to be from a sheriff’s office or another law enforcement agency?
Tell me what happened in the comments below. Your experience could help warn someone else before they become the next victim.
If these scammers call me again, I may answer—not because I believe them, but because I want to expose exactly how these scams work and share that information with you.
Products That Can Help Reduce Scam Calls
Receiving repeated scam calls is frustrating, but there are products that may help protect your personal information and reduce unwanted calls.
Below are a few items I recommend. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Your support helps fund my independent investigative reporting.
Newly released Texas Attorney General reports raise new questions in the investigation into the fatal shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The Texas Rangers investigation remains ongoing.
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation
The John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. investigation continues to raise new questions after newly released Texas Attorney General state reports provided additional details about the fatal June 1 shooting in Lake Jackson. The documents describe the same incident but use different wording in several key sections.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office submitted both a Custodial Death Report and a Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report to the Texas Attorney General. While the Texas Rangers continue investigating the John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. case, the newly released records highlight differences in how the incident was documented.
Both reports describe the same incident. However, they use different wording in several sections while the Texas Rangers continue their investigation.
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation: Reports Describe the Same Incident
Both reports identify Mendoza as the 18-year-old who died after a deputy attempted a traffic stop that ended at a residence on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.
According to the records, Mendoza drove into a garage attached to a home after deputies attempted to stop him.
The reports state the deputy was on duty and involved in a pursuit after Mendoza allegedly failed to stop.
Custodial Death Report Lists Homicide
The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report identifies John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and includes the official manner and cause of death submitted by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
The Custodial Death Report lists the manner of death as:
Homicide (includes Justifiable Homicide).
Medical examiners use that classification when one person causes another person’s death. The classification does not determine whether a crime occurred or whether criminal charges are appropriate.
The report lists the medical cause of death as a gunshot wound that entered through the left upper extremity into the torso.
It also identifies the weapon as a handgun.
Incident Summary Uses the Word “Discharged”
The incident summary in the Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report states that the deputy’s firearm discharged while approaching John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The report does not explain what caused the firearm to discharge.
One section of the Custodial Death Report states:
“When entering the garage approaching the driver, the deputy’s firearm discharged and a bullet struck the driver.”
The report does not explain why the firearm discharged or whether investigators have determined if the discharge was intentional, accidental, or the result of another circumstance.
Reports Use Different Language About a Weapon
A separate Texas Attorney General report states that John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. “carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.” The report does not identify the weapon or explain why this wording differs from the Custodial Death Report.
One section of the Custodial Death Report asks whether Mendoza displayed or used a weapon during the incident.
The answer listed is:
Unknown.
However, the separate Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report includes a different description.
That report states the injured or deceased person:
“Carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.”
Neither report explains the apparent difference in wording or identifies the weapon referenced in that section.
The records also do not describe when investigators reached those conclusions or whether additional evidence remains under review.
Deputy Was Not Responding to a Call
The Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report states the deputy was not responding to a call for service when the incident began.
Instead, the report states the encounter occurred during a pursuit involving a suspect who was allegedly evading arrest or detention using a motor vehicle.
The report identifies the deputy as a 29-year-old male who was on duty at the time of the shooting.
Investigation Continues
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is pictured in his Brazoswood High School football uniform before the June 1, 2026, incident in Lake Jackson. The Texas Rangers continue to investigate the fatal deputy-involved shooting.
The Custodial Death Report states emergency personnel treated Mendoza before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died.
The report also confirms that the Texas Rangers, working with the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, continue investigating the shooting.
Neither report reaches a conclusion about criminal responsibility or explains what caused the deputy’s firearm to discharge.
As the investigation moves forward, the newly released state records answer some questions while raising others about the events inside the garage on June 1.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose contacted the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the newly released state records. No response had been received at the time of publication.
Emergency crews respond after a deadly crash involving an 18-wheeler on Interstate 10 inbound near Highway 6 in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
Two Deadly Crashes Snarl Traffic Across West Houston
Two deadly crashes kept first responders busy across west Houston Wednesday morning, shutting down major roadways and creating long traffic delays.
The first crash happened around 5 a.m. on the inbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Eldridge Parkway.
According to authorities, an 18-wheeler and another vehicle collided, causing a fire. Two people died at the scene.
Investigators closed all inbound lanes near Dairy Ashford while crews worked to clear the wreckage. Traffic backed up for several miles, stretching toward Kingsland Boulevard during the morning commute.
Police pursuit ends in fatal Highway 6 crash
Emergency crews investigate a deadly crash following a police pursuit on southbound Highway 6 near the Westpark Tollway in west Houston. Photo: Tammy Rose
A second deadly crash occurred on Highway 6 southbound near the Westpark Tollway.
Photos from the scene show heavy damage to both an HPD patrol vehicle and another vehicle following what authorities described as the end of a police pursuit.
Officials confirmed the incident was fatal. Based on available information, the deceased was not the Houston police officer. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the person who died or the events leading up to the crash.
The investigation remained active as officers documented the scene and worked to reopen the roadway.
Investigation continues
Authorities continue investigating both crashes. Additional information, including the identities of those involved, is expected after next-of-kin notifications and the completion of the preliminary investigations.
Newly obtained prison messages from Paul Taylor Jr. discuss the Rebecca Beard investigation, prison life and his perspective decades after the case.
Nearly four decades after Rebecca Beard disappeared, new prison messages from convicted killer Paul Taylor Jr. are offering another glimpse into how he views the investigation today.
The messages, shared with Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose by a longtime correspondent who asked to remain anonymous, cover much more than the Rebecca Beard case. Taylor discusses prison life, his health, his faith, investigators, and why he believes renewed attention is being focused on his case.
While many of his statements reflect his personal opinions and allegations, they provide insight into his current mindset as interest in the Rebecca Beard investigation continues.
Taylor questions renewed interest in the Rebecca Beard case
In several messages, Taylor repeatedly asks why people are suddenly interested in his case after so many years.
He questions why the victim’s family has continued speaking publicly and wonders what new information investigators may have uncovered.
Taylor also asks whether new evidence has surfaced and repeatedly requests updates from outside prison.
His questions come as the Rebecca Beard investigation has received renewed attention following exclusive interviews, court records, and additional reporting into the 1986 disappearance.
Paul Taylor Jr. comments on investigators
Throughout the messages, Taylor criticizes investigators and the criminal justice system.
He claims authorities mishandled evidence and writes that people should question official accounts of the investigation.
These statements represent Taylor’s personal opinions and have not been independently verified.
Despite his criticism, Taylor continues asking for information about developments in the case.
Faith remains a central theme
Religion appears throughout nearly every message.
Taylor writes about reading the Bible each morning, praying daily, and believing God has guided him throughout his years in prison.
He frequently ends his messages with blessings and encourages others to pray.
The repeated references suggest his Christian faith continues to play a significant role in his daily life behind bars.
Life inside a Texas prison
The letters also describe Taylor’s daily routine inside prison.
He discusses prison conditions, medical treatment following the removal of basal cell carcinoma, communication through the Securus messaging system, and the challenges of staying connected with the outside world.
Taylor says receiving letters helps him remain informed about events beyond prison walls.
Taylor notices new reporting
One of the more interesting portions of the correspondence comes when Taylor references recent reporting.
He asks whether Tammy Rose is writing articles and later questions why her name briefly appeared in his contact list before disappearing.
The messages suggest Taylor is aware that new reporting and renewed public interest continue surrounding the Rebecca Beard investigation.
Investigation continues
Rebecca Beard disappeared in 1986 and her body has never been found.
Although Paul Taylor Jr. pleaded guilty in connection with her death, questions remain about where Rebecca’s remains may be located.
Investigators have conducted multiple searches over the years, while Rebecca’s family continues asking authorities to pursue additional leads.
The newly shared prison messages do not establish new evidence in the case. Instead, they provide additional insight into Taylor’s thoughts as the investigation continues decades later.
Editor’s Note: The prison messages contain Taylor’s personal opinions and allegations regarding investigators and the criminal justice system. Those statements have not been independently verified and are presented to accurately reflect the contents of the correspondence.
Recommended Reading
If you’re interested in the Rebecca Beard investigation and other Texas cold cases, these books provide additional background and context. Purchasing through the links below helps support my independent reporting at no additional cost to you.
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A former FBI agent says investigators may be getting closer to identifying the masked “Porch Guy” in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie. The assessment reflects the former agent’s opinion and is not an official statement from investigators.
Former FBI Agent Says Nancy Guthrie Investigation May Be Close to Major Breakthrough
TUCSON, Ariz. — Is the mystery surrounding Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance about to take a dramatic turn?
A former FBI special agent says she believes investigators may be closing in on the masked figure known as “Porch Guy”—the person captured on surveillance video outside Guthrie’s home the night the 84-year-old disappeared.
During an appearance on The Megyn Kelly Show, former FBI Special Agent Maureen O’Connell said she is “75 percent” confident investigators are getting close to identifying or capturing the mysterious suspect.
“I think they’re getting close to the Porch Guy,” O’Connell said. “When they get the Porch Guy, the floodgates shall swing open.”
If true, it would mark the biggest potential breakthrough since Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Tucson home on Feb. 1.
Authorities have released surveillance images showing a masked person wearing dark clothing approaching Guthrie’s home before her disappearance. Investigators have not publicly identified the individual, and no arrests have been announced.
The comments from O’Connell come as renewed attention has focused on the case following reports about alleged ransom communications sent after Guthrie disappeared. Law enforcement has not publicly confirmed the authenticity of every message received, and the FBI continues to investigate.
Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, remains missing nearly five months after investigators say she was abducted from her home. The FBI and the Pima County Sheriff’s Department continue to ask anyone with information to come forward.
While O’Connell’s assessment has generated headlines, it is important to note that her comments reflect her opinion and sources, not an official announcement from investigators.
What Happens Next?
If investigators identify the person known as “Porch Guy,” it could answer several lingering questions:
Was the suspect acting alone?
Was Nancy Guthrie targeted?
Could investigators finally learn what happened after she disappeared?
Just days after I published previously released messages from Paul Taylor Jr., another communication arrived in the recipient’s inbox.
The recipient asked to remain anonymous because of concerns about unwanted attention in Brazoria County. I reviewed the original message before publishing this report and agreed to protect the recipient’s identity.
“I’m Hoping This One Will Make You Dig Deep Again”
The latest message does not contain a confession or new details about Rebecca Beard’s disappearance. Instead, Taylor continues using spiritual language while suggesting there is more he cannot discuss.
Among the statements included in the email:
“There is so much I cannot tell you.”
“The Holy Spirit is doing unbelievable things.”
“I’m hoping this one will make you dig deep again??”
Taylor also writes that he is “going through the fire” before telling the recipient to “enjoy the ride.”
A Continuing Pattern
This message follows other communications I previously reported on involving Taylor.
While the email does not offer new evidence in the Rebecca Beard investigation, it continues a pattern of messages in which Taylor hints at information without providing specific facts.
To protect the recipient’s privacy, I redacted identifying information from the published screenshots at the recipient’s request.
Related Coverage: Read my previous reporting on the Rebecca Beard investigation and Paul Taylor Jr.’s earlier communications.
Recommended Reading: If you’re interested in unsolved Texas murder cases, these books provide additional background through my Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
The suspects’ getaway car sits wedged beneath a semi-trailer after a Pasadena pawn shop robbery ended in a dramatic crash involving two 18-wheelers.
Robbery Suspects’ Getaway Car Ends Up Under 18-Wheeler
What started as an armed robbery at a Pasadena pawn shop ended with a mangled getaway car trapped beneath an 18-wheeler along Houston’s East Loop.
According to the Pasadena Police Department, officers were called around 9 a.m. Thursday to a robbery at a Cash America Pawn store in the 500 block of Pasadena Boulevard. Investigators say two armed suspects entered the business, robbed the store, and fled in a white Nissan Altima.
But their escape didn’t last long.
Police Spot Suspects Near East Loop
Pasadena officers quickly obtained a description of the vehicle and began searching the area. A short time later, an officer located the Nissan Altima near Market Street and the East Loop.
Police said the suspects attempted to evade officers before the situation spiraled out of control.
Getaway Car Slams Into Two 18-Wheelers
Investigators say the Altima first collided with an 18-wheeler driven by Alex Flores on the Market Street bridge.
The impact sent the vehicle spinning out of control. The car then traveled down an embankment toward the East Loop, where it crashed into a second 18-wheeler and became wedged underneath the trailer.
Photos from the scene show the white sedan crushed beneath the massive truck.
Driver Critically Injured
Emergency crews rushed to the crash scene and worked to free the driver from the wreckage.
Police said the suspect suffered critical injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.
A second suspect fled the scene on foot but was later captured and taken into custody.
Investigation Continues
The Pasadena Police Department continues to investigate both the armed robbery and the crash.
Authorities have not yet released the identities of the suspects.
As investigators work to piece together exactly what happened, the dramatic crash serves as a reminder of how quickly a getaway attempt can turn into a life-threatening disaster.
What Do You Think?
Should suspects who flee from police face enhanced penalties when innocent motorists are put at risk?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
Related: Read more Houston-area breaking news and police investigations on http://ChopperRose.com
