Travis County Judge Declares Hung Jury in Daniel Sanchez Trial
Travis County, TX — Today, Monday, November 17, 2025, in the 299th Criminal District Court, a Travis County judge declared a hung jury in the deadly conduct trial of Daniel Sanchez.
For Mr. Sanchez’s trial, jury selection started on Monday, November 3, 2025, and testimony began on Thursday, November 6, 2025. On Friday, November 14, 2025, the jury began deliberations but could not reach a unanimous verdict; as a result, on Monday, November 17, 2025, Judge Karen Sage declared a mistrial.
On Tuesday, December 19, 2023, a special grand jury returned an indictment charging Austin Police Department Officer Daniel Sanchez with one count of Deadly Conduct, a third-degree felony, in connection with the shooting death of Rajan Moonesinghe on November 15, 2022.
“Our hearts continue to go out to the Moonesinghe family, who have waited so long for justice,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza. “The judge will reset the case to a future date.”
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Unit (CRU) Has Secured a Conviction in the Following Use-of-Force Cases
On October 5, 2024, a Travis County jury convicted Austin Police Department Officer Christopher Taylor, 32, of Deadly Conduct in the death of Mauris DeSilva.
On December 18, 2024, former DPS Trooper Zachary Maini pleaded no contest to Official Oppression, stemming from an investigation into his use of force during a traffic stop.
On March 18, 2025, Austin Police Department Officer Alejandro Gaitan pleaded guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Injury, a misdemeanor, pursuant to an investigation concerning his excessive use of force during an arrest.
On June 17, 2025, former Austin Police Department Sergeant Brian Yarger pleaded guilty to Assault Causing Bodily Injury and Official Oppression, both Class A misdemeanors, pursuant to an investigation concerning his excessive force during the arrest of Shaun Johnson on June 2, 2024.
TCDA CRU Pending Cases Related to Use of Force or Other Officer Misconduct Involving Injury to a Person
The Tampering-With-Evidence case against former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Assistant County Attorney Jason Nassour is currently on hold.
The Murder and Deadly Conduct case against Austin Police Officer Karl Krycia is still pending in the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
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