HAYS COUNTY, Texas — A case has been dropped against a former Hays County corrections officer who shot and killed an incarcerated man in 2022.
The Hays County District Attorney's Office said Thursday that it has dismissed the indictment charging Isaiah Garcia with deadly conduct, a third-degree felony.
On Dec. 12, 2022, Garcia shot and killed 36-year-old Joshua Wright while working as a corrections officer for the county. Wright was in the Hays County Jail and had been taken to Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle the night before after complaining of a medical issue. Garcia was assigned to guard Wright at the hospital.
According to the DA's office, the shooting occurred as Garcia was preparing to take Wright back to the jail. As Wright came out of a restroom, Garcia attempted to handcuff him, but Wright allegedly shoved Garcia and tried to run away, toward an exit in the emergency room. It was at this time that Garcia shot and killed Wright.
Hays County never publicly released any body camera footage of the incident – something Wright's family had been vocal about since his death.
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In April 2023, a Hays County grand jury reviewed this case, considering the possible charges of murder and manslaughter in connection with Wright's death. The jury declined to return an indictment on either of those charges but did return an indictment charging Garcia with deadly conduct.
According to the DA's office, the indictment alleged that Garcia fired his gun at or in the direction of one or more people by shooting at Wright in a hospital when patients and staff were present. The indictment didn't charge Garcia with an offense directly related to Wright, but it did accuse him of deadly conduct for the circumstances during which he fired his gun.
On Thursday, the DA's office stated that in all criminal cases, it represents the State of Texas and "must make decisions about the resolution of cases with justice and the interests of the community in mind." Hays County DA Kelly Higgins said the wishes of a victim or a victim's family are always considered, but other factors must also be considered, including public safety and "fundamental fairness."
With those additional factors in mind, the State moved to dismiss the case against Garcia. The DA's office said prior to the dismissal, Garcia agreed to a permanent surrender of his corrections officer license and agreed not to seek any license or certification in the future to work as a peace officer, corrections officer or armed security guard.
Higgins said the case was dismissed "at the request of the Wright family" after they consulted with their legal representatives. Higgins said after viewing body camera footage of the shooting, Wright's family "persisted in requesting the dismissal."
"The reasons offered by the family for their request were carefully considered and, ultimately, found to be persuasive,” Higgins said. "We have chosen to respect the family’s privacy and will offer no additional discussion of those reasons. We encourage others to also respect their privacy."
Last July, the Wright family sued Garcia. The status of that lawsuit is unclear at this time.