GOP Texas state House candidate among 19 indicted Austin officers

Texas House candidate Justin Berry (R) was among 19 Austin, Texas, police officers indicted over alleged use of excessive force during 2020 protests in the city.

Austin Police Association President Kenneth Casaday confirmed the information to The Texas Tribune, though the indictments have not yet been made public.

The Austin American-Statesman first reported that the grand jury is indicting at least 18 officers in connection to protests that occurred in Austin in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

“We believe many protesters injured by law enforcement officers during the protests were innocent bystanders,” Travis County District Attorney José Garza said at the time. “We also believe the overwhelming majority of victims, in the incidents that were investigated, suffered significant and lasting injuries.”

Berry’s attorney declined to confirm or deny the indictment to the Tribune.

Berry is running against three other Republican candidates for the GOP nomination in the Texas House District 19’s primary election next month. At this time it is not clear if the indictment will have an effect on his campaign, the Tribune reported.