Former Balch Springs Police Officer Indicted For Murder
DALLAS (CBSDFW) - A former Balch Springs Police officer was indicted by a Dallas Grand Jury for murder in the death of a teenager.
Roy Oilver was indicted on Monday for murder and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in relation to the death of Jordan Edwards, 15, in April.
"It is important to let our community know that justice is proceeding effectively and thoroughly at the Dallas County DA's Office," says DA Faith Johnson adding, "This is the very first time we have issued an arrest warrant for a police officer before the case was presented to a grand jury. As we move forward, my office continues to be committed to seeking justice for Jordan and his family. You have my personal guarantee that we will prosecute this case vigorously."
Johnson says the decision will impact the nation on multiple levels.
"This isn't a political statement," she says. "It's about what's right, fair and just."
READ MORE: Former Balch Spring Officer Roy Oliver
Edwards and his two brothers and two other teenagers were driving away from an unruly house party in Balch Springs when Oliver opened fire on their vehicle with a rifle. The bullets shattered the front passenger-side window and struck Edwards.
In May, Oliver was fired and then arrested after the Balch Springs Police Chief said body camera video did not match his version of events in the Edwards shooting.
Oliver was also charged for an incident involving driver Monique Arredondo. Arrendo testified before the grand jury that Oliver pointed a gun at her after the two were involved in a minor car accident two weeks before the Edwards shooting.
Oliver, who was still with the Balch Springs Police Department at the time, was not on-duty when the accident happened and Arredondo told the panel he never identified himself as a police officer.
He was a six-year veteran with the Balch Springs Police Department.
Oliver joined the Balch Springs department in 2011 after being an officer with the Dalworthington Gardens Police Department for almost a year.
His case is assigned to Judge Brandon Birmingham's court.
Oliver's bond is set at $700,000.
