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AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Both the Travis County District Attorney's office and the Williamson County District Attorney's office are investigating the Javier Ambler case, officials announced Friday.
Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore and Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick issued a joint statement Friday afternoon, announcing the joint investigation.
"Although we have been working together for some time, we are making this announcement now because both offices have recently received numerous contacts regarding Mr. Ambler’s death and wish to assure both his family and the community that the investigation will be thorough and justice will be vigorously pursued," the statement reads.
According to the statement, the two offices are sharing resources and information to coordinate a unified investigation. Travis County's Civil Rights Unit, in cooperation with the Austin Police Department, is taking the lead in the officers' use of force investigation, while Williamson County will take the lead in investigating possible tampering with evidence by personnel from Williamson County agencies who "have had contact or communications with the television show Live PD."
Ambler died in the custody of Williamson County Sheriff's deputies on the morning of March 28, 2019. According to a custodial death report filed with the Texas Attorney General's office, WCSO deputies attempted to stop Ambler for a traffic violation near FM 1325 and State Highway 45. Ambler refused to stop, leading deputies on a chase into Travis County and Austin, with the pursuit ending near St. John's and Bethune in north Austin.
Following the pursuit, Ambler was tased by WCSO deputies four times after failing to comply with commands, and was later found to be unresponsive. He was pronounced deceased a short time later at Dell Seton Medical Center. Ambler's death was ruled a homicide, caused by congestive heart failure and hypertensive cardiovascular disease "in combination with forcible restraint."
A production crew from "Live PD" was riding along with WCSO deputies that night and filmed the encounter with Ambler. The show's producers, in a statement, said no request was ever made by Moore's office for the footage, and it was destroyed according to the show's policy.
Last week, Moore announced on Twitter that WCSO and Chody had been "stonewalling" the investigation into Ambler's death. Both denied the accusations, with Chody accusing Moore - who is running for re-election - of being motivated by politics.
Moore has said her office plans to present the case to a grand jury.