Grand jury to hear case against Garza this week
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, December 28th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
Heppner – Jose Don Garza, 43, will have the state’s case against him heard by a Morrow County Grand Jury this week. Garza was arrested on Dec. 20 for allegedly destroying property inside the home of Marion Ivan Taylor III in Irrigon. Preliminary charges against him include first-degree burglary. However, Morrow County District Attorney Justin Nelson said it appeared that Garza was more intent on destroying property, not taking it.
“He could be heard inside the residence moving and thrashing items inside the residence,” the responding Morrow County sheriff’s deputy wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
Once the owner gave permission to forcibly enter the home, deputies took Garza into custody and estimated that the destruction he had wrought exceeded $5,000 in damages.
Nelson said he expects the grand jury will have some questions.
“They’re going to want to know how this person got inside of the house,” he said. “Did they just break in? Were they invited in? What caused this damage to the residence to happen?”
