Bayou Body Count: A Cold Case Solved

By Chris Vogel Tue., Jul. 28 2009 at 12:10 PM

Categories: Bayou Body Count

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After 15 long years, Houston police detectives believe they've finally found their man. Michael Deshawn Winfrey, 36, has been charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting a man who was protecting his son at a pay phone at 6603 Fuqua on April 24, 1994.

Police say Jeffrey Brown, 30, was driving along with his daughter, 8, and son, 7, when he pulled into a parking lot to use a pay phone. As he was stepping out of his car, Winfrey appeared and allegedly pointed a gun at Brown's son, telling the father to "give up his gold" or his son would die, police say. Brown leaned over in front of his son, protecting him, and pleaded with Winfrey not to hurt them. Winfrey then allegedly shot Brown and ran away.

The case remained unsolved for a decade and a half until detectives with the Scott Police Department in Lafayette, Louisiana contacted HPD earlier this month. Scott police had found a man who claimed he saw the shooting and could finger the killer along with other witnesses. HPD detectives went to Lafayette, interviewed the man and found many of Winfrey's friends. Police say the witnesses' accounts matched the evidence at the scene and that finally someone is being held responsible for killing Brown in front of his two young children.

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Another old case appears to be headed to court as Houston police have charged a man for allegedly shooting someone outside a night club at 12808 Bellaire on April 8.

Khahn Phan, 26, is accused of killing Simon Troung, 22. Police say Troung and some friends were at the Roxxy nightclub that April night before going to an after-hours sports bar on Bellaire for a birthday party. There, Phan started arguing with Troung and Troung's friends. A few minutes later, Troung left the bar to make a phone call outside, where he was shot in the parking lot.

Police say they determined that Phan was the shooter and arrested him last week, however, detectives are still looking for additional witnesses.

On Saturday morning Harris County Sheriff's detectives began investigating a triple-shooting at an after hours club at 345 West Richey Road. Deputies say that three of the club's employees were shot by a customer who had been tossed out of the club earlier Saturday night for fighting. James Douglas Thomas, Jr., 36, died at the bar while the other two victims were taken alive to Ben Taub hospital.

The shooter is described only as being an African-American man, 25 years-old, about 5-8 with short hair. The club, which stops serving booze at 2 a.m., stays open until 4 a.m. The shooting happened just before closing.

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Finally, Harris County deputies are also investigating the death of 16-year-old Eric Elizarraraz last week at an apartment complex at 14402 Pavillion Point. Detectives say the teen was visiting a girl at the building when he started arguing with a group of guys in the parking lot. When the guys began insulting the girl, Elizarraraz attempted to defend her, and the fight escalated into a shooting. Elizarraraz was shot once in a common area of the apartment building, deputies say.

If you have any information concerning these investigations please call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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Cameron Coker was released April 10th from the Harris County Jail. The case was dismissed.
This forum and the fact that Coker has been set free highlights the two kinds of people who posted here. 1. The reasonable people who had the insight to see something wrong with this case and see his possible innocence, who I might add wrote their comments respectfully and with decent language. The kind of logical and critical thinkers that we need to keep innocent people out of jail and to lock up the real filth. 2. The simple folk who have nothing worthy to contribute to an argument so they take the easy road of "Let's execute the bastard and anyone who disagrees is a retard/naive etc." To all of you in category 2, by all means have your say with your limited grasp of the English language, but make an attempt to be civil to others and open minded about what you believe might be true. Perhaps we all agree that we pray for the detectives to stop sitting on their hands, eating waffles, and get out and do some quality work to find a real murderer. Or perhaps now I am just being "retarded/naive."
What do you say now genius? People like you and many more on this forum are the reason most places in the world have abolished the death penalty. You believe you have an ability to determine guilt based on a few lines from a TV show. Look how many people here called for Coker to be executed. If you didn't have the nous to see through this as a loose and hurried investigation with very little substance or basis for conviction then I'm afraid it is you who is naive. The haste, bias, negligence, and self praise shown by the detectives makes me glad not to be in Harris County and has almost certainly led to a killer getting a 3 year head start and may never be found. So sad for all involved.
I went to school with Cameron. We had our birthday parties together. I love th guy. He did it though. We've written and talked. We need to understand he has something wrong. But truthfully he did it. I know him. He lied to my face. Good luck in there bud. I'm sorry.
All i can say is... Thank God i dont live in the USA. Your gun laws are pathetic! People get off for sell defence for shooting someone that steals their car? WOW! I have been to Houston numerous times on business and have witnessed business men,engineers etc carrrying guns to basically protect themselves.There is more than a pattern watching first 48. I bet you cant guess what it is ? Until you people begin to understand that the statement ."Guns dont kill people ,People kill people; is a ridiculous and stupid statement, Your country will only keep breading animals and sell distruct with in its own arrogance. Education,Not guns will serve your country better.
Just saw the show. Disapointed by the outcome:-(
By the way he's free.... O_o
Some of yall are retarded....putting yalls selfs in cams shoes.... ur not him so why would you try and think like him...only people who knew him know whats up and I grew up with him....he wasn't in a gang he just hung out with nothing but gangster...and so what if that guy was on crack dope or shrums...just cause he's on it doesnt make him a lier...his story sounded just like something Cameron will do he liked to freestyle and picked a fight with anyone who looked at him funny this kid was getting too wild #guilty
exactly!!!! this guy didnt even know the correct date of the murder because he thought his proof of gettin out of jail would help him, gangsters dont act like babies when they are confronted by police, especially when there is tv cameras around them, one a gangster cares most about is their reputation and he wasnt going ruin that to just try get two policemen to believe him. yeah maybe this kid had issues with the law but he is definately no killer. you know its things like this that actually turn people away from the law, this kid did bad things and when he is trying to get his life sorted he gets accused of murder without any real evidence except for his name coming up, which is expected if you are a troubled teenager. i just Camerons life gets sorted out.
Logicalthinker: It's ironic you call yourself that when you just blathered on for 15 minutes about something a fifth-grader wouldn't even waste a second analyzing. You're a fcking moron dude! You've obviously spent zero time in any big city or in any dangerous environment or you'd know exactly how menacing guys like Killa Cam are. To say that he got out of jail in Harris County, where the murder took place, the day before the murder, and that he didn't have time to get there to do it is just fcking preposterous. You remind me of this friend i had who always rode the small bus to school.
Justinrocks: You hit the fckin nail on the head my ni$$a!!! These people who think he's innocent are the types of noodles and suckers that get taken everyday in big cities like Houston -- by ni$$as like CAM COKER!
Ghh, You're a fcking retard.
I've read all the comments. Personally, I think he's innocent. Yeah, he lied about being affiliated with a gang. The tattoo was proof of that. But here's one thing: He'd been let out of jail that morning. Now, I don't know about y'all, but pretty much all government officials take forever to do their job. Period. Go to the DPS in the morning and don't get out until nearly noon. If he was let out at 9:00, he'd still have to go get his papers and that probably took a couple of hours at least. And depending on the geographical lay-out, it would have taken half an hour, maybe more, maybe less, just to get home. By that logic, he'd have had to pretty much leave right after he got home to go meet his friends, get to the apartments to have the altercation that occurred during the day. The one Erik's friends didn't even bother mentioning to the police until confronted about it. It's very possible that it happened later in the day, like say, 4 or 5. Then there's the whole issue with the picture. Some of you are saying it was put there by, "God," but isn't one of his biggest ideals and practices to let humans do things on their own? Figure things out on their own, make mistakes on their own, learn on their own? Then why would he have made a picture magically appear out of nowhere? I believe that picture was brought in by that first, "Witness." The police obviously had nothing to do with it being there. So, if that picture was planted, it'd be inadmissible in court anyways. That's one testimony and witness out the window. Then there's the matter of the other witnesses. One said he was there, but didn't shoot. The other came in, could have just been looking at the picture trying to figure out who was who, then the officer points to the picture. That's contamination of evidence. The kid hadn't said a word before the officer pointed out who they thought it was. That's another testimony out the window due to contamination by the officer. That makes the case extremely flimsy, which is probably why it's been pushed back so much and so often. Another thing about witnesses, they can always be lead, and their memories can be warped. Put five people somewhere and have a crime occur, and you'll receive five different accounts of the same incident. Now, I've watched the show a lot, they don't give out all the evidence on television, no, but they do say if they have the murder weapon and other physical evidence. But in this episode, all they pretty much had was the testimony of three people. Two of which are quite possibly inadmissible because one could have planted evidence and another was contaminated. Now, for the way Cameron was acting. I don't know about many of you, but I'd be scared out of my mind if I'd learned the police were looking for me for a murder. I doubt I'd have the guts to just walk in like Cameron, whether I was guilty or not. Much of what he said in the car, supposedly on the way to get a polygraph test, he did say some things that would make you think he wasn't so innocent. I'm not saying he's as innocent as a baby, but if I'd just gotten out of jail that day, I wouldn't go out and shoot someone. Even if I was in a gang. That's another thing, once in a gang, always in a gang. They're not gonna just let you get out, much less not participate. It's quite possible that Cameron was there. That doesn't mean he held a gun to Erik's head and said, "My flag's the best! B****!" Then pulled the trigger. That just means he could have been there and saw who did it. Making him probably a better witness than all the others. But they probably screwed that lead over the moment they arrested him. There's another episode where they're talking to some guy named Cody who'd supposedly been seen with the victim, he offered to take a polygraph, and he was lead right down the hall. Why would they need to drive somewhere if they have a room and the equipment right there in the building. By they way, Cody was a white male. The officers had obviously already decided the boy was guilty, even with the minimal amount of evidence that could possibly give them a conviction. Then there's the description of the shooter. Light skin, tall, maybe in his 20's. To me, even in the picture that had appeared out of nowhere, Cameron looks like a light-skinned African-American teenager. Not someone maybe in their 20's. Again, back to what Cameron was saying in the car. "Was it a human? Like a human being?" He was probably frazzled and confused. He's handcuffed in a car with two police officers saying that he's definitely the one that killed Erik. I'd probably have issues talking myself if I was in his position. Those of you that say you wouldn't, are just plain lying to yourselves, or you're just a plain sociopath. Cameron obviously didn't know when the shooting occurred, because if he had, I doubt he'd have brought paperwork that wouldn't have helped him at all. Not unless he's as big an idiot as many of you are saying. The transcripts I found of the show I found, you can only see what the officer is saying. The moment Cameron realizes that the officers aren't actually listening to him, they're basically just saying that he's guilty over and over, that he needs a lawyer, in my opinion, was possibly the smartest thing he could have done at that point, since they weren't listening to a word he was saying. As for the possibility that those kids all set him up. I don't think that's what happened. I think maybe a couple of them had generally wanted to help and catch the person that killed their friend. But they did lie and with hold things from the officers until confronted. It's quite possible they're lying about a lot of the things that did happen that night. And as for the man that possibly planted the picture, did they even bother checking up on what he was saying? Does he really have a studio? Was he high on something? Did he have any possible connections to a rival gang or the same gang that Cameron was affiliated with, and just wanted him gone? No, they didn't. I'm just saying, there's so many things that the officers did that messed up what case there was, and things that they didn't even try investigating, much less bother trying to check out. If Cameron IS guilty, then they screwed themselves over and have basically let the killer off scot-free, if he's innocent, they've wasted two and a half to three years of his life.
Gurl u be soundin like a sea monster or a snake or sumpin wit yo slithery self. "if it was you" ? gurl it ain't gonna be me cuz I don't shoot lil homies. I take a whooping like a man ( or a gimp, if my dominatrix is down for sum kinky shyt) n don't shoot mutha f@#&az for gettin in a fight or over flags. even in my C dayz I never got hung on murccin' folkz. if we fought we fought. if I saw a BL00d all flamed out I'd take a dump on his blocc n tag tha shyt (literally) later that day. it ain't right to take a life esp when u tryin to prove how tuff u iz. Erik want even bangin shawt. man get ya facts str8 cuhzn.
haha that's awesome! I agree with u, its like the lil kitten..who lost...his way. that dudes comment was flat out stupid. its ppl that like man...that's why murderers walk. they get away clean. cuz too many conspiracy theorists like this guy. the cops weren't no joke, they did what they could with what they had. man....I'm hungry man. I'm out. Finn.
Yeah, they figured out it ain't even tha doodz car. that Lexus hung up in Houston Texas,
You're a fool,sorry! But there is no physical evidence placing him anywhere! And if he did do it (which I'm assuming he did) they're gonna have a hard time proving that in court. We're in 2012 and he's still hasn't been found guilty yet! Those witnesses with the baggy pants may have pointed him out in a photo spread but guess what when it boils down to it, none of them will have the balls to point Cameron out on the stand! Cased closed and Killa will be free!
Man real talk, I'm pissed off! Too many dumb mutha f@#&az on this bit*h tryin ta say this punk kid innocent!?! Are yall retarded like that n9&&a cam or whattt???? First off, my old azz prune lookin grandpa once told me az a yungG in tha come up that "Everyday, there is one sucker born and likewise, one person born who has the ability to persuade the sucker...and that is what makes the world turn." 20 years later, homie was right. Too many people who believe lies. Yall tha suckas. Yall tha types that car salesman or n9&&az like me have a field day with...so gullible. So f@#kin naive. This nig clearly Lyin out his mouth because 1). Tha lil bytch thot he could switch it up n fool tha po po wit his jail papes, even when they told him that he was free when tha murcc happened. Then he keeps insisting even after he knew it was an invalid argument. ok, but that don't mean that goofy lookin lil boy guilty... 2). When he said there's two sides to an argument, why tha FU*K would an innocent person jump to that? nig was scurred, that's why. I bet an innocent man would say, I think they should pay tha price. but na. Then in his mind he knows they're on to him so he starts bringing up ways to slyly find 9ut if he goin home. ie, walkin home, takin tha bus. pfff. shytttt. but... 3). There's more! Just for yall who are too slowww ta figure this out, the coppers WERE takin him to tha poly test, (lie detector for u rly slow mutha f@#&az) then when he figured he was N2-deep, lil kitten bailed on it by droppin the lawyer line. haHA. ain't bullshytin. that's why he never took it. they wanted him to take it, that's why they drove him there.....duhhhhhh. now I'm soundin like my sista. 4). F@#&a claimin he wasn't at the party....wrong! 3 random azz peeps dug u up son! F@#&a claimin he bangin no set, boy tha proof is n tha pudding, tatted up w 5 points n shyt boy please! n his jumpy comment in tha car bout flags. was that a coincidence that Eriks boy said that shyt prior to that? na! cuz thiz foo murcced Erik over colors. he's tryin to make a name n claim turf. (shyt try that herr bruh). not condemning evidence but its anotha drop into tha guilty pot (anotha sayin from gramps). haHA! boy WAS at tha party (proven) was set claimin (proven) and WAS lyin bout it (very proven). so why's this foo hidin something? cuz he knws what's up. everyone saw him, saw tha fight, they scared but they told what's up. I feel he's guilty, but it ain't up to me. It's GODS call. It's HIS choice to put the guilty where they belong (in tha afterlife anywayz). I can't judge but I can have my suspicionz. like Pac said. but anywayz that's my argument for the peeps sayin no evidence this n that. that kid, if he absolutely didn't do it, knows what's up. that's why he lyin n that why he guilty IMO cuz he eitha did it or is withholdin info, wit his lyin azz. 5). And number 5.... brickcity bytchBRICKBRICKcityBYTCH! a big shout out. ta all my slain nigguz in dub town, esp tha southward, I miss yall. we need ta stop thiz violence, not just black on black but human on human. like killacam said, weez all human beings. haHA. Texas stay up. Yall need ta pray for tha southward, Newark,NJ cuz they killin everyone in sight. too many homies gone, too many families broken yall. most of tha time for no reason. ppl sittin on tha porches then bam! one gurl walkin home n she got blasted from sum nig leavin a party cuz he be mad. shytttt. brick city all day to tha wheels fall off n tha casket drops. God bless, in Christs name. peace.
He doesn't look like a cold blooded killer and I agree he does not fit the description the witness gave. However he said things that make you think like colors of a flag... He knew something. To me he seemed like a kid that realized he just made the biggest mistake if his life! But again I could be wring and he could be innocent. Just sad he wasn't out if jail for a day. If he's convicted 2 families gave list their children. Condolences 2 Eriks family.
Who gives a fck about that stuff this dude is guilty as fck w/out it. The First 48 got the title to this one right when they called him a "Straight Menace"
You guys are retarded. Just because you watch a television show that ONLY shows a little bit of evidence, you clearly think that they don't actually have more evidence. The eye witness accounts are more than enough to charge someone with murder. If they broadcast all of their additional evidence on national tv, the defense prosecutors will have had 3 years to pick it apart.
So a gangbanger nicknamed killa that lives at the apartment complex where it happened and shot in front of multiple people who all identified him. And you think he may be innocent bc he took off his colors and said he was just a good kid that wanted to go to school. You are ignorant.
probably bc his thug gang friends have been threatening the witnesses.
Ok its been almost 3years and this guy is still in the Harris county jail something is not right with this case if they had all of the witnesses that said it was him then why do they keep resetting his trial date it is now set for 2/20/12
If it so obvious that he is guilty then why do they keep resetting his trial date it is now set for 2/20/12 its been almost 3years since he was arrested in 2009 something is not right if they had all these eyewitness he should have been convicted by now.
no but you are a straight idiot or a part of their game or both if you donot think that little punk not guilty. crying with a nick name Killa should be Bitch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
He is still in jail 2 years later.. http://apps.jims.hctx.net/sopublic/Inquiry.do I really wanna follow what the outcome is on this..
Whoever you are, this was well said.! I don't even need to post anything..!!! I definitely agree with you.!
You do have to remember he was picked out of a photo line up by witnesses, so if he didn't shoot then he knows who the shooter was because he was obviously there. He tried to bring in jail papers which didn't work because he had the date wrong. He asked a lot of questions in that car, about consequences etc....I think that is his guilty conscience. I guess we will find out soon
These Harris County detectives are so keen to press charges, call the aggrieved family, look like heroes and get on to the next case (or kick back for a while as the case may be) that this has been stretched out to a ridiculous amount of time before going to trial due to a clear lack of strong evidence. The "lil homie" who swaggered in and identified Coker as the one who "hit" Eric is all they have. I'm eagerly awaiting the result of this trial and have no pre-determination as to Coker's guilt or innocence. I do however, have an opinion on these detectives who dish out murder charges like they're scoffing their breakfast waffles. They don't seem to care that in a state carrying the death penalty for such crimes that all they needed was flimsy evidence to press charges. A $50k bond from the preliminary hearing speaks volumes for the quality of evidence. Now, we have a situation that 2 1/2 years later, everyone including the victims family and the defendent are awaiting justice to be served. In complete contrast, check out the quality of evidence gathered by Louisville's Homicide Unit for example, before pressing charges. They demand that all bases are covered if it is not a "slam dunk". I especially enjoy watching those guys go to work. Finally, I agree that this case will end up in a debacle because of the bungling detcetives and we will have a heavily reduced sentence/plea bargain, or possible acquittal. They should have got stuck into this case and found not only indisputible proof of the killer, but also find all his buddies who were with him. Something smells about it all and I'm not referring to waffles.
I can't say he wasn't terrified, but one witness placed him at the scene and a second id'd him as the shooter independently. The cops did their jobs. It was the victim's friends that id'd him. A 16 year old died behind some imagined beef. Sounds like something an 18 year old is totally capable of.
KIWIGIrl........you got that wrong YOU are the joke!!!!!!
Youre a joke :) Have a super day douche bag!
The only good Jwlokey / John Lokey is a dead one
Soooo what was the verdict? Can anybody shed some light on this?
Refering to the murder of eric (RIP) Let us please remember, the main suspect is innocent untill proven guilty. This is a young man worrying about his future. If police bought you in convinced that you were there main suspect of a murder, how would you react? Real cool, calm and collected? No I don't think so.. I didn't see an ounce of guilt in the BOY's face. I saw somebodies child terrified of spending the rest of their life in jail. Why do we believe this guy behaves like an "animal" and is a "bully"? Because somebody told us this? Open your minds.. Thinks are not fact just because first48 say so.
This is by far the most senseless, idiotic and frankly offensive post i've seen thus far. You really need to seek therapy and possibly consider a CAT scan
What you've just said ... is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this chat room is now dumber for having listened to it. I give you no respect, and may God have mercy on your soul.
This slime is as guilty as the day is long. MULTIPLE witnesses ID'd him at the scene. Why we can't eradicate this gang bullshit is beyond me. Where was this maggot's mother? Father? They should be held liable for this piece of crap's stupidity.
WHAT HAPPEN TO THE CAR THE DETECTIVES WERE LOOKING FOR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SHOW
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW DID THEY FIND A MURDER WEAPON OR ANY THING WHEN THEY WENT TO THE APARTMENT WHERE THE BOY LIVED
i watched this episode, those cops are a joke! what if i go to the police station and point you out as committing the most recent murder in my town, are you going to be charged right there and then? can i just point my enemies out as bad people whether they are and not and expect them to be looked ant and treated as such? did this kid ever see a lie detector test? i bet not otherwise his court date would not be 2012 nor would he be sitting in jail. that stupid detective even went on to say how he nor the rest of them knew where that picture of all those guys came from! that's absurd oh wow i found this picture laying mysteriously in my office this guy must have been the shooter. i will be following this case when it runs and i am in the court of coker i really do feel he was treated based on lies and allegations by proven blood gang members and justice will see him through if he is given the detector test as he requested yet was denied. lastly, to all the racist wanks dropping bombs above, your ignorance proves your a retarded nigger. look it up, your prime examples lol. have a gr8t day and let the let the bs comments to follow fly. ;)
see below:
I just watched a re-run of this episode today (first time actually ever seeing it), and, I too was compelled to try to find out the outcome of his trial. Initially, it seemed to me that he was trying to worm out of his involvement and/or guilt by playing the "dumb, innocent" role but the episode did not present any stronger evidence other than so-called eye-witness claims and photo I.D.'ng. Then, there's this pesky issue of the "mysterious gang photo" popping up out of the blue. According to the Harris County Sheriffs Public Information Inquiry website, his court date has been pushed to 1/5/2012 and his bond is 50K, which, suggests that the case just might be a tad flimsy and the trial is intentionally being pushed back to give the prosecutors time to bring a stronger case to court. If he's lucky: A: The case will fall apart by the time it goes to trial, and he'll get off (w/ time served so-to-speak) B: The prosecutors/D.A. will arrange a deal with the Defense and offer a plea deal for him to copp to a lesser charge so that they'll at least get the guilty verdict that they want while he gets much less time in prison (i.e.: 5 - 8 yrs, out in 3 - 5 on good behavior).
If you read so much, then why did you just post something so stupid? People are making comments about a murder, and you are more worried about the choice of words someone selected to post out of sorrow & anger. One more thing, the person who wrote those books you read, needs to educate their selves properly, as YOU do.
Are you kidding me, you honestly could say Cameron didn't act guilty?? I raised kids, and anyone who ever has, knows that he was acting guilty for something. He said he would take a lie detector test. Then on the way he said he wanted his lawyer. I will bet he didn't take that lie detector test. He also knew he would never see home again, that's why he kept asking if they were going to ride him home to mommy. Big tough guy with a gun & gang, then when he was busted & all alone, he was a baby! These young gang members are nothing but a bunch of cowards that make me sick. That poor family didn't deserve to received that phone call...
does anyone know what happened at his trial
I think he's guilty because when they were riding in the car he said people do things for different reasons. The he immediately mentioned the "flag". It tied down the initial witness statement. One of Erik friends stated that Erik was asked about a gang prior to him being punched. This is a open and shut case..
Scientifically there is "black" gene located in the DNA of every race. So if you are white and a have a black gene that would make you the mutt. The black gene is so powerful, why do u think that when there is baby born from an interracial conception, that child has more "black" features than the other. Face it mutt, you need to read. Because my black ass do. Lol.
I agree. There are so many innocent black males locked up. You best believe, a white man isn't going to be placed in the prison system unless his DNA is found in 10 different places on the scene. But a black bama DNA could pop up a block away or his shoe print on the side of town u wldnt typically find many black males and he his locked up. A black man will get executed even when there is doubt. But a white man will get a book deal or a lifetime special. Not theory. It is statistics. And I am white. It is people like you that would say someone black did it just save your add or someone you know. The hoods have been conditioned to be a war zone. Where do u think they get there guns from and drugs? Take a look at this episode, the cops went n2 the hoods and started shake downs and arrests to get one guy. Why does this not happen all the time to prevent incidents such as the one against Erik from happening on a daily basis? It is add that you can predict that a murder is going to place in a neighborhood and that it is considered "typical". We spend so much money on wars overseas. Thousands of men losing there lives for people who dnt give a shot about us. Instead of using the same resource to build our country. A lot of these menaces only need to be shown that someone cares prior to them committing these acts. And we need a Justice system and not a JUST US system.
Don't forget that there was another guy thT described the killer as being light skinned and about 6'2". They didn't show him pointing out the shooter in a line up but I'm quite sure they did. He also said he wasn't part of gang but had the tattoos stating otherwise.
Guilty.....As........Hell. If you think he is innocent, you probably thought O.J. was too
After watching the show I clearly thought he was guilty and still do, but after reading all u guys comments about a setup it could easily be possible. if the random witness planted the photo and has some relation to the other witness and could easily be conspiring together. Like, "ok guys I'm gonna take this photo in say it was him then they will call u guys to point him out and u just point at his picture" DONE! charged with murder. Lol very possible but a stretch.
who was it then...you? straightmenace...what a name....i'm sure your an outstanding citizen
Cameron is a bully who enjoyed terrorizing anyone who got in his way by threatening to murder them. The fact that he's black has nothing to do with this discussion. Were he white, I'd STILL call him a damn animal who needed to removed from the street and locked away where he can be prevented from harming or killing anyone else.
00:22:53" I said, "matter of fact, " I said, "man, I got a studio, and y'all want to get on some " narrator: HE SAYS He diffused the situation by offering the man time in his music studio. 00:23:05- Like I say, I befriended him to get myself out that situation. 00:23:10I said, " he said, "okay, I'm fixin' " that's when his number came up. 00:23:17He said they call him killa. 00:23:20So here's his phone number right here. 00:23:22narrator: HE AND THE MAN Went on their way. 00:23:25- I came out today, and then they showed me that, that picture with the dude that's been killed. 00:23:30And first thing I could " he's the only one that's running around here with guns, looking for something to get into. 00:23:36The way he acts, like, he don't care-- he a straight menace to society. 00:23:39He don't care about nothing, man. 00:23:41- And what's that number? 00:23:43- Oh, uh, there it is right there. 00:23:46That's his number. 00:23:47That's who I think did it.The guy with the homes studio was scared and just talking non sense. He had no first hand info. Just a hunch on a kid who scared him.00:25:22narrator: DETECTIVES Bring the witnesses back to look at a photo lineup. 00:25:28- All these guys are young. 00:25:30They're scared. 00:25:31And I think they're doing the best that they can. 00:25:35Take a look at that. 00:25:36Tell me if you recognize any one of them. 00:25:40- Man. 00:25:42- I know you didn't see anybody shoot him. 00:25:44- Yeah. 00:25:47It's him. 00:25:48- Number three? 00:25:49- Yeah. 00:25:51- Number three was there? 00:25:52- Number three, for sure. 00:25:54narrator: THE FIRST WITNESS Puts killa at the sce. 00:25:58- Circle around number three and write what you have to say about number three. 00:26:02narrator: BUT KUHLMAN Needs a positive i.d. 1st ID. He was seen there. But not seen as the shooter. 00:26:03From a witness that saw the shooting firsthand. 00:26:08- Come on back here with me. 00:26:15Anybody? 00:26:18- That looks like-- I noticed when you first looked at the picture that you looked long and hard at him. 00:26:23And why'd you do that? 00:26:32- This guy was there. 00:26:34Certainly, he was there.2nd ID that looks like,...and gets cut off by the cop. He was IDed and being there. But not the shooter. Police locked this kid up and dont even have a witness that IDs him as the shooter. Even if he was a blood. Even if he was there. Even if he threw the punch. That does not make him the shooter. And there is no proof, no witnesses nothing. Its a pretty sad world when police start throwing people in prison for murder off a hunch. You need proof. What kind of justice is that for the family? A weak case and possibly the wrong man. Or maybe the right man but a weak case he might beat. Say what you want. Police did a bad job here. You dont lock people up with nothing. And thats what they did. Just like the young man said at the end. "yall locking me up for nothing"This young mans bond is only 50k. For murder. A 50k bond. You know what that means? The judge thinks the case is weak. http://www.livedash.com/transcript/the_first_48-%28straight_menace%29/6120/AETVP/Thursday_June_03_2010/320552/This is the link to the transcripts of the episode. No one ever once made a positive identification as him being the shooter. No one ever called him the shooter. All they could do was say he was there. Thats not grounds enough. I think the was going to pressure him in the court house into a confession using the warrant as leverage. And got pissed when the kid mentioned lawyer. I think the cop just lost his patience. Terrible police work. So call him what you want. Judge him off his tattoos. Call him stupid. He is either wrongly accused, or very close to getting away with it. Either way, your beef should be with the detectives. So keep this case in mind and hope to god you are not buying milk in a store that is getting robbed. Someone might tell a detective they saw you there. And you could be charged with the robbery if they have nothing else. And you could spend 2 years of your life in a cell waiting to tell your side of the story and hope things work out. Judging by the comments made here,...you chances are not good. A lot of blind blood thirsty drama queens out there waiting for their moment of power. And they could care less what the evidence says. Heck. They dont even pay attention to detail.
I think he is guilty, no doubt about it. And his behaviour in the car ride, reminded me of things I used to do when lying to get out of trouble, when I was about 8 yrs old, lol He is retarded, put him down. They got the death penalty in houston?
That dude probably said to hell w/ high school to gangbang too. Nice writing skills, idiot stick.
Another "whites get away with everything and blacks get blamed for everything else" conspiracy theorist. Move to Canada if you hate your freedom so much. Just sayin.
His court date just got moved back to September. Murder trials can take forever to get underway.
u sound racist. what qualifies him as an animal? there are many people committing murder that do not live in the "hood". go read a book.
i would say that is true. in fact, i believe there is 3 sides to every story...your side, the other side & the straight truth!! so saying that does not constitue guilty!!
cameron coker court date is now showing as 07/23/11. i can't wait to hear the verdict!
This thread is a bit funny, but mainly aggravating. Any one who watched this episdoe and came to the conclusion that Cameron Coker didn't kill Erik Elizarraraz must have a mental illness. Every bit of evidence pointed at Coker, and the two seasoned decectives interrogating him knew he was a murderer and new exactly how to treat him. To call you people naive would be a tremendous understatement. You guys are borderline retards, seriously. You people are the reason murderers walk free to kill again. PS Erik's family will never see him again and you're talking innocent until proven guilty?
AMEN! What does this say for our education system? Pretty bad, if you ask me.
English language try using it.
. ok first of all if you dont noo cameron dont talk about him just becausee yu watched first 48 doesnt mean you no him cameron hass been in jail for 2 yearss sincee that happen and doesnt goo too court until july 23 2011 everybody hass different opinonss and aree free too express them but just dont talk about him becausee if it was you you would bee saying your not guilty
If he's your cousin, why are you misspelling his name? Eric? Try Erik.
where's your hood?
I agree with youngblackinvestor... I ve grown up around liers and have lieng problems of my own.he was lyin about something...something was jus off... he really didnt seem all there.. but the picture in the office just gets to me... that dont make sense.. my instincts go with him being guilty.. but u never no
Damn right you know Black males have been convicted and killed for hundreds of years for stuff they did not do...
Wow I read these messages and thought what is happening to America. When a African American is accused of a crime he is guilty whether he committed the crime or not. I wonder when will people be held accountable for the Emmitt Till murder.Oh they were guilty but they got off, and ALL THE COUNTLESS NUMBER OF BLACKS that have been killed by Whites and got away with it!!! AMERICANS ARE SOME OF THE BIGGEST HYPOCRITS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.I KNOW THAT ERIK WAS Hispanic BUT A PERSON WITH A TRUE HEART WILL FEEL SYMPATH FOR BOTH FAMILIES AND NOT TITLE THE YOUNG BOY A MUTT, ANIMAL, OR DOG AND WISH TO SEE HIM DEAD THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE LACK OF HUMANITY THAT EXIST IN THIS BACKWARDS AZZ COUNTRY!!!
use your common sense, don't be so naive
And THAT makes you guilty......hope you are never on my jury!!
When you live in the hood you have to know how to lie. Especially when you're around that age, teens and early 20s cause that's when you get into the most stuff. Only a liar can look at another liar and tell their lying. I'm telling ya'll I used to lie like a G, this dude is lying his a** off, believe that.
Trial is set for April 6, 2011..........keep watching
RIGHT, he did ask, BUT he lawyered up before they got there. Over and out!!!
come on the guy is guilty. why when they asked him what should happen to the person that shot the guy he said there is 2 sides to a story??
Just watched the episode on A&E. When he ws riding in the car, Shablap, he said you SHOULDN'T shoot someone, or take a life, over colors. I believe the trial was supposed to start in March. I think he was set up too - and I believe he is innocent. But, I don't have all the evidence...
The description was "a tall light skin male in his 20's". Also during the ride in the detectives asked him what should happen to a person that kills some one and when is it ok or what situation and he actually said "over colors". It was about then he started asking for a lawyer. Sizzle, crackle, smoke, burn, bite your tongue, piss your pants, and flex every last muscle as you die a horrible death by execution Coker. You deserve it.
i'm not sure if cameron coker is guilty or not, the only thing i can be certain of is it wasnt me. but i will say, the guy that out the blue identified cameron seemed to be on some type of high & couldv'e easily been the one to plant the picture that mysteriously appeared. not to mention, who's to say what the relationship of the guy that pointed out cameron on the picture is to the other witnesses - he made it cleared that he had personal issues with the suspect. i'll have to re-watch the show but if i recall correctly, the physical description given by the one witness that said he actually saw the shooting didn't match cameron coker at all. correct me if i'm wrong. however, whoever did it will pay for his actions. i just don't want the wrong person convicted just to get the case closed & for closure for the family. true closure can only come from knowing in your heart the right person has been put away (and unable to hurt anyone else) and trusting in GOD.
Wow, these posts had me laughing and a little pissed but this young man is guilty. As long as I have been watching First 48 I have never looked up a show to see if there was anything in the news about it until now. They did not show a lot of the technical evidence like tying him to a weapon but God works in mysterious ways. That picture got there somehow and as crackish as that first man was, he was onto something anf because of him the caught cameron. Cameron is cocky, fresh out of jail and doing and saying anything not to go back. He is a little punk boy who just got slapped with the reality that this tine, jail is permanent. Someone is dead and youre asking about riding the bus home?? I will walk home as long as you let me go home! I dont know, I think he is messed up, hes not all there as in he is cold blooded. But reality was setting in. the cops never say thy dont want to speak to a suspect anymore and they were even tired of his mouth. True justice comes on judgement day.
Your last sentence states "i hope that this *astard, if he is guilty, rots in jail then hell for what he put this family through"...are you calling him a *astard whether guilty or innocent? I know the rotting in jail & hell part is if he's guilty but it seems as if he's being addressed as a *astard regardless.
Three people ID'd Coker as being at the scene of the crime.
harris county court 338....march 23, 2011....
cameron coker goes to trial march 23, 2011
JD101 ... Where did you find out Cameron Coker "got off". That sounds unlikely. I think the trial just gets STARTED this month.
You must be a family member of cameron or something. cause that was the most ridiculous story i've ever heard. If you've never seen a killer with puppy dog eyes, you've never seen first 48. He was clearly lying about his nickname ( KILLA ), as in Killa Cam, and his gang affiliation. he tried to trick the detectives with his jail papers. A desperate attempt. I'm an actor and I've always said, if you want to see an academy award perfomance. watch a person lie for their life. If he didnt do it, he wont tell on who did. but hes lying for a reason. And as far as him not looking like a person that did anything. You're right, he also didnt look like a gang member named KILLA who had just gotten out of jail and threatened to kill another man. Looks can be deceiving.
I just read the case ~ the guy got off...
So what was the outcome i cant find it?
On The Cam Coker guy-I feel he knows who did it but I don't really think he did it.It was just something about him that just didn't show guilt.He is guilty of knowing who and he is guilty of playing himself by protecting people who may be snitching on him to get a check.
Fuck him may he burn in hell! Love u cuz justice is served
I happy that the police did there job and brought my cousin killer 2 justice but it won't bring my cousin back....I hope he never gets out I hope he burns in hell 4 takin my cousin away 4rm us.... we love u eric not one day goes by where we don't think about u and cry...u may be gone but ur spirit and ur warm love lives inside all of us I miss u lil cuz :..(
If anyone can keep an up to date status on this trial please post here. I am really curious to know what evidence other then people accusing him, do they have. Thx
Iunno, I am not a police officer and Im not a professional in the field of knowing if a person is lying but for some reason I think Cameron is innocent. Do they really have legit information to convict him? Proof? Finger prints, gun? When that one guy came in and was acting as if he was on crack, made me think it was conspired. I honestly think Cameron was genuinely scared for his life and yeah in that situation i would be asking all the damn questions in the world if i was accused of murder. He is 18, regardless of him using the words "HUMAN BEING" that was his way of saying did someone actually say I did it! People show fear in different ways. Iunno something is fishy about this whole thing. I think he was set up. Who cares if this kid had gangsta pics... Doesnt make him a criminal. DOES IT? I do feel for the parents of Erik. May he RIP. I cant imagine...
http://apps.jims.hctx.net/sopublic/Inquiry.do;jsessionid=CABA412CFECC8A2F509DA0B52F7DA907
Here's his status in jail and his trial date in march. He's still in jail for now. I think they arrested him on some pretty flimsy evidence. http://apps.jims.hctx.net/sopublic/Inquiry.do;jsessionid=CABA412CFECC8A2F509DA0B52F7DA907
All them coons look the same but the only good mexican is a dead mexican so I guess it all evens out - John Lokey 512-656-6957
Its very obvious to me that he killed that boy. An innocent individual doesn't fish for information from the police regarding their investigation like "what kind of evidence do you have? is it human?" And as for the bafoons who said it was a set-up.... puhlease. Not only was there a photo of "killa" in gang colors and flags in the building, but two not one witness id'd him in a line up. So was he playing gang bang dress up for halloween in that picture? That sounds like a smart idea for an innocent kid to do right? Take your chances having a picture floating around in a blatant gang riddled area in an opposing gangs colors. Yep. He's innocent all right. Sweet young kid. Doesn't make a lick of sense to me why they would think he could do that. You people are really slow.
You're an idiot.