Texas Judge Found Dead Inside Chambers

Texas Judge Tom Greenwell was found dead from a gunshot wound to the head inside his Nueces County Courthouse chambers. The state district judge was found inside his chambers around 7 pm; the courthouse closes at 5 pm. Although security at the government building includes metal detectors, judges with concealed carry permits are allowed to take firearms inside. Judges, lawyers, and some journalists with Corpus Christi courthouse ID are reportedly not typically required to pass through the metal detectors.

State District Judge Tom Greenwell death is being investigated by the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office. The law enforcement officers reviewed the crime scene and collected evidence until the late evening hours after the shooting death of the Texas judge. Nueces County Sheriff Jim Kaelin declined to answer questions relating to the recovery of a weapon or whether or not the gunshot wound could have been self-inflicted. Judge Greenwell’s death was originally reported as a likely murder by media outlets, but the death is now reportedly being considered a possible suicide.

A Corpus Christi courthouse janitor found Judge Greenwell’s body and standards protocols for an active shooter scenario were enacted. Approximately 30 minutes after a sweep of the building, it was determined that a possible shooter of the Texas judge was not on the premises.

Judge Tom Greenwell has been preparing for trial on the Jenna Hernandez murder case and was scheduled to be on vacation next week. Local attorney Rene Flores referred to Greenwell as an excellent judge.

Flores also had this to say about the Texas judge:

“He was the epitome of a good judge, he seemed very calm and peaceful; it’s just really shocking.”

Tom Greenwell was also referred to as a very hardworking judge who was typically the first person to arrive at the courthouse and the last to leave.

What do you think about the shooting death of the Texas judge and courthouse security?