Travis County Commssioners Court
January 13, 2004
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Item 23
[One moment please for change in captioners]
>>
>> ... A request by Travis County to basically disinter certain remains in the international cemetery, and we do have a release that we have asking the requesting parties to sign that basically releases Travis County of damages that may result from this action. And I made reference to the year because it was back in 1987 --
>> '87, yes, sir.
>> -- that shelly jo jones was basically found -- her body was found, and she was buried in international cemetery, and there is a request to disinter her body, pull d.n.a.
>> correct.
>> -- sample, send those to the denton area, have them analyzed. So we would basically pull up the remains, have the sample pulled by an expert.
>> the actual doctor from the university of north Texas, dr. Gil king, who is going to be performing the d.n.a. Sampling, is actually going to be the one present at the cemetery during the disinterment to take the sampling. Once he does whatever he is needing as far as whatever samples he's going to take, we will reinter, he will take the samples back up to fort worth for the testing. Once they have positive match with the mother, what they will do is they will send the samples to the funeral home, and then, I guess, we'll need to come before the court again to get a final disinterment authorization to go back out to the cemetery to do the tkaoeupbl disinterment so we can send the remains up to oklahoma.
>> we will rebury the remains.
>> correct.
>> and we think that the analysis by the doctor will take about how long?
>> about six to eight weeks was my last discussion with dr. King.
>> the big question is the identification was made through a ring that was found on the body.
>> correct.
>> that was little more than that back then, and so if the identification was correct, the mother has asked basically that the d.n.a. Tests being conducted. In getting this done, you have to work with the state attorney general's office.
>> correct. And --
>> rita, assistant attorney general. Good morning. The attorney general's involvement of course is -- because this is a victim of crime, there's every indication this is a victim of crime, the crime victims compensation program has already approved this claim for eligible benefits. That is, expenses related to criminal injuries, conduct, that would mean the cost of the funeral. We've been working closely with the d.n.a. Experts to get that part done and we could also possibly pay for travel and councils he will and things for the claimant's mother. Like I said, those have all been approved already by the crime victims compensation program.
>> and the mom was down last week and what she would like is really like final closu on this matter.
>> sure.
>> which makes all the sense in the world to me.
>> certainly.
>> and our county attorney's office and dan smith of my office has been working with the a.g. And I guess you are from all faiths.
>> yes, sir.
>> for several months trying to make sure everything is done properly. This is not a request that you get every day of the week.
>> first time ever.
>> the call here in Travis County, but seems to me something ought to be done. Legally we've basically drafted the appropriate instruments. Any questions from the court?
>> no.
>> so what's before us really is for us to authorize the consent.
>> yes.
>> and when does a release get signed?
>> I believe it's already been signed.
>> yes, it has been signed. The [indiscernible] signed it and we will get the consent form from the mother, the consent form is going to be sent to her and she will send that back. If that's all together, then they will proceed.
>> anything else we need to hear today?
>> I believe that will take care of it.
>> the motion really should be for us to -- consent to the requested action.
>> yes.
>> second.
>> that was a motion from me. Seconded by Commissioner Davis. Any more discussion? Thank you all very much for your cooperation. All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. That motion includes authorization for the county judge to sign on behalf of the Commissioners court the prepared consent form.
Last Modified: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 7:18 AM