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No felony charge for teen in deadly crash
By Scott E. Williams
The Daily News
Published December 15, 2007
TEXAS CITY "†A La Marque High School student will not face any felony charges in the street race that ended in death, but his legal troubles are not over.
Cristian Rico, 17, was back home with his family on Friday. U.S. immigration officials released him from their custody that morning after a grand jury late Thursday declined to indict him on a charge of racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury or death.
Blake Ingles, 16, died Nov. 28 during what police alleged was an illegal street race. The two teens both were driving separate cars and both crashed. A witness told police the two cars collided while racing along 34th Street, which was torn up for repairs at the time.
The two teens were classmates and friends.
Criminal defense attorney Roberto Torres, who represented Rico, said testimony by Ingles' family likely made the difference in the case.
"I truly think the main thing was that Blake's family did not want to see Cristian prosecuted," Torres said. "I think that went a long way."
However, Rico, an illegal immigrant, could still face deportation at an as-yet-unscheduled immigration hearing.
Alisha Campos, a Houston immigration attorney, said not facing a felony improved his standing, but he still faced long odds of remaining in the country.
"Ultimately, even if no criminal charges are brought, he still has to deal with the fact that he got here illegally," Campos said.
Under U.S. immigration law, Rico could receive the option to leave the country voluntarily. Unlike deportation, leaving voluntarily would not put a black mark on his record if he tried to re-enter legally, Campos said.
Still, Torres said his young client was ready to face whatever came next.
"The grand jury's decision was such a huge burden off of him, even if he does now have to deal with his illegal status," Torres said.
In the event Rico is allowed to remain in the country, prosecutors could still seek to pursue a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.
Torres said he was working with the family to find an immigration attorney to represent Rico.
No felony charge for teen in deadly crash
By Scott E. Williams
The Daily News
Published December 15, 2007
TEXAS CITY "†A La Marque High School student will not face any felony charges in the street race that ended in death, but his legal troubles are not over.
Cristian Rico, 17, was back home with his family on Friday. U.S. immigration officials released him from their custody that morning after a grand jury late Thursday declined to indict him on a charge of racing on a highway causing serious bodily injury or death.
Blake Ingles, 16, died Nov. 28 during what police alleged was an illegal street race. The two teens both were driving separate cars and both crashed. A witness told police the two cars collided while racing along 34th Street, which was torn up for repairs at the time.
The two teens were classmates and friends.
Criminal defense attorney Roberto Torres, who represented Rico, said testimony by Ingles' family likely made the difference in the case.
"I truly think the main thing was that Blake's family did not want to see Cristian prosecuted," Torres said. "I think that went a long way."
However, Rico, an illegal immigrant, could still face deportation at an as-yet-unscheduled immigration hearing.
Alisha Campos, a Houston immigration attorney, said not facing a felony improved his standing, but he still faced long odds of remaining in the country.
"Ultimately, even if no criminal charges are brought, he still has to deal with the fact that he got here illegally," Campos said.
Under U.S. immigration law, Rico could receive the option to leave the country voluntarily. Unlike deportation, leaving voluntarily would not put a black mark on his record if he tried to re-enter legally, Campos said.
Still, Torres said his young client was ready to face whatever came next.
"The grand jury's decision was such a huge burden off of him, even if he does now have to deal with his illegal status," Torres said.
In the event Rico is allowed to remain in the country, prosecutors could still seek to pursue a misdemeanor charge of reckless driving.
Torres said he was working with the family to find an immigration attorney to represent Rico.
