Bryan Riser is shown in this undated Dallas County Sheriff’s Office photo. A judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Riser, a former Dallas police officer who was arrested for murder on alleged ordering two murders in 2017 after prosecutors agreed they did not have enough evidence to proceed with the case . Dallas County Sheriff’s Office / AP Hide caption
Toggle labeling
Dallas County / AP Sheriff’s Office
Bryan Riser is shown in this undated Dallas County Sheriff’s Office photo. A judge on Wednesday ordered the release of Riser, a former Dallas police officer who was arrested for murder on alleged ordering two murders in 2017 after prosecutors agreed they did not have enough evidence to proceed with the case .
Dallas County / AP Sheriff’s Office
A former Dallas police officer charged with capital murder for allegedly ordering three men to kill two people in 2017 was released after charges against him were dropped.
During a preliminary trial Wednesday, prosecutors with the Dallas District Attorney’s Office said they did not have enough evidence or probable reasons to move a case against Bryan Riser.
“Where we are today as the district attorney, we don’t feel that there are enough probable reasons for this case,” said Dallas County Attorney Jason Fine, the judge, a local CBS affiliate reported.
Judge Audrey Moorehead agreed.
The 36-year-old was arrested last month, years after he was first accused of directing the murder of Albert Douglas, 61, and Lisa Saenz, 31, a woman who once lived with Riser’s father.
Saenz’s body was found in a river with multiple gunshot wounds on March 10, 2017. Douglas’ body was never found, but his family reported him missing in February 2017.
Like NPR did reported::
“In September 2017, three men were arrested and charged with Saenz’s murder. One of them later told authorities that Riser had offered him $ 3,500 to kidnap and kill Douglas an affidavit from the policethat he supposedly paid. Riser later approached the man again and offered to pay him $ 6,000 to kill Saenz, whom he referred to as an “informant”. The money was not paid until the man was arrested, the affidavit said. “
A police officer originally testified on an affidavit that there was cell phone data linking Riser to the killings, but the same officer was on the stand on Wednesday admitted This statement was made in error.
“If in any case we get to a point, no matter who the accused, no matter who the witnesses are, that we believe that there is not a sufficient probable cause, we have to alert the defense and alert the court. We have to do something to do.” We can’t just watch, “Fine later added, according to local NBC Affiliate.
Dallas police officers determined that the investigation is still ongoing and that new charges may be filed in the future.
Following the judge’s decision, Riser’s attorney Toby Shook told reporters that he wanted an internal review of the process leading up to his client’s arrest.
“I would hope that this investigation will be reviewed and how that decision was made so quickly to arrest him, which started this whole thing,” Shook said.
A relieved riser spoke to reporters on the way out of Dallas County Jail.
“This department, which I loved and respected, did not respect me and embarrassed me and my family. I was 100% innocent from the start. I just want to be with my family.” he said.
Riser’s wife, Ebony Samuel-Riser, said, “The truth is finally coming out.”
She continued: “[Dallas Police Department] owes us an apology at this point. “
