Galveston clerk's troubles prompted alert to courthouse officials

Mug shot of Galveston County District Clerk Jason Murray who was arrested on DWI charge. Mug shot of Galveston County District Clerk Jason Murray who was arrested on DWI charge. Photo: Police Department City of League Photo: Police Department City of League Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Galveston clerk's troubles prompted alert to courthouse officials 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

After admitting to beating his wife in December, a DWI charge and threats that forced the lockdown of a school last week, Galveston County's District Clerk Jason Murray was the subject of a law enforcement bulletin warning Harris County courthouse security to beware.

The fear, apparently, was that the 37-year-old would use a uniform to illegally bring a gun or a crossbow to the courthouse where his estranged wife works as a defense lawyer.

On Tuesday, Murray appeared in a Houston courtroom to turn over law enforcement uniforms he kept from his work with the Harris County sheriff's office and other agencies.

"Regardless of any credentials he may present, under no circumstances should he be allowed to bypass any screening station," the bulletin read in bold. While he has credentials as the elected district clerk, the bulletin noted, "He is also a former Harris County Deputy and may also have law enforcement credentials in his possession from Harris County, Galveston County or Caldwell County."

Carson Joachim, Murray's attorney, said the alert was issued last week in connection with an arrest warrant for violating his probation.

"My understanding is that it was a precautionary measure prior to him posting bond," Joachim said. "I don't consider him a threat to anyone."

Murray appeared in County Court at Law 12 on Monday and Tuesday, accused of violating his probation by getting a DWI charge on March 27 and by threatening his wife on March 25.

In the DWI case, the car he was driving struck another car stopped at a red light about 4:45 p.m.

League City police officers arrived, cited Murray and released him. Murray then hit a curb and was driving erratically, forcing officers to pull him over again.

School threat

Tamara Spencer, a spokeswoman for the League City police, said Murray did not smell of alcohol or seem intoxicated to the officers on the scene.

During the second stop, Murray began acting differently, told officers he had taken prescription pills and was arrested on a driving while intoxicated charge.

The day before, his estranged wife, Mekisha Jane Murray, had called police because a text from her teenage son indicated he was in fear for his life at school.

Creekside Intermediate School was placed on lockdown at 2 p.m. after Mekisha Murray reported that a threat was made to her child's life.

Her divorce lawyer, Stephanie Proffitt, said Mekisha Murray reported her son sent her text messages saying that his father intended to kill him and then kill himself.

"He's a scary guy," she said.

Looking at removal

In Galveston, Murray's conduct has so concerned Galveston County officials that judges are researching the process for removing him, said state District Judge Susan Criss.

"The concern has been raised and people are asking us about the process," she said.

Criss said Murray squared off against her last week about a change in courthouse security that prevented him from carrying a gun into his workplace.

Murray "confronted me and said he thought it was done totally to embarrass him," Criss said.

Murray, whom she described as furious, told her, "The people entrusted him to handle all the court files and to know where all the wire taps are." She could not explain his reference to wire taps.

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