Attorneys for Austin Police Officer Chance Bretches are seeking a full dismissal of charges related to the 2020 protests, alleging that the Travis County District Attorney’s Office illegally suppressed evidence and engaged in "secret" negotiations.
The motion centers on claims that DA José Garza’s office withheld details of 2023 meetings with former Assistant City Manager Bruce Mills. According to the filing:
- The DA’s office allegedly considered indicting the City of Austin itself for the police department's actions during the riots.
- A deal was reportedly discussed to spare the City from indictment in exchange for pursuing or dismissing charges against individual officers.
- The defense claims the DA eventually abandoned the plan to indict the City only because they miscalculated the statute of limitations.
Officer Bretches was indicted in 2022 and again in 2024 for aggravated assault and deadly conduct. The charges stem from a May 31, 2020, incident where Bretches allegedly shot a medic with a kinetic projectile, resulting in the loss of part of her finger.
Bretches’ legal team maintains that he acted under direct supervision and within APD policy. They argue that if any crime occurred, the responsibility lies with the department for providing defective equipment and training. By allegedly hiding the "city indictment" negotiations, the defense argues the DA violated Bretches’ due process rights.
The case is currently scheduled for a jury trial on June 1, 2026.
Chance Bretches is one of four APD officers still facing charges stemming from 2020 protests