Rape victim hopes new Houston police chief won’t ‘turn his back on us’

In 2020, Trina experienced a traumatic event when she woke up at a friend’s house to find her friend’s boyfriend assaulting her. Despite her immediate resistance and escape, the subsequent handling of her case left her feeling abandoned.

Trina recounted how, after fleeing to a nearby friend’s house, she sought medical assistance and reported the incident to the authorities. However, years passed without any updates on her case, until it resurfaced amidst revelations of a backlog of over 264,000 unresolved cases marked with an “SL” code due to understaffing at the Houston Police Department (HPD).

Recent correspondence between HPD and the Houston Forensic Science Center revealed a breakthrough in Trina’s case, with DNA evidence linking her assailant to a known felon arrested by the FBI in 2016. Despite this development, Trina expressed disbelief and distress over the handling of her case and the many others similarly suspended.

In response to public outcry, HPD initiated an internal investigation into the matter. Mayor John Whitmire acknowledged the negative impact on department morale and announced the retirement of then-Chief Troy Finner. Whitmire appointed Larry Satterwhite as acting police chief, emphasizing the need to restore public trust and prioritize victim advocacy.

Satterwhite pledged to prioritize victim support and case resolution, recognizing the enormity of the backlog and the ongoing need for effective law enforcement. Despite feeling neglected for years, Trina cautiously hopes for renewed commitment and accountability from HPD’s leadership.

HPD urges victims with updated contact information to reach out, signaling a renewed effort to address past oversights and provide closure for survivors like Trina.