Travis County District Attorney’s Office Announces Charges Against Officer Alejandro Gaitan

Travis County District Attorney’s Office Announces Charges Against Officer Alejandro Gaitan TRAVIS COUNTY — Today, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office filed an information charging Austin Police Department Officer Alejandro Gaitan with the offenses of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Assault with Bodily Injury, and Official Oppression as a result of the investigation of his alleged assault of Carvius Jackson that took place on March 12, 2021.

In addition, today, our office filed a notice of agreement acknowledging Officer Gaitan’s right to request an examining trial. An examining trial is a hearing in open court where the prosecution presents evidence to allow a magistrate judge to “examine into the truth of the accusation made.” Our notice of agreement means that we will not object if Officer Gaitan requests an examining trial.

“Our office will continue to hold law enforcement officers who engage in criminal conduct accountable and will do so transparently,” said Travis County District Attorney José Garza.

In all criminal cases, the District Attorney’s Office has the authority to preliminarily charge a defendant prior to presenting the case to a grand jury through a legal instrument called an information. By filing charges by information, the District Attorney’s office can comply with the statute of limitations and continue to litigation pre-trial issues.

###