Texas county behind on homicide cases

HOUSTON, April 26 (UPI) -- The district attorney's office in Harris County, Texas, says more than 600 suspected killers have yet to see the inside of a county courtroom.

Assistant District Attorney Russell Turbeville said records indicate hundreds of individuals accused in relation to Harris County homicides that took place between 1970 to December 2007 have never faced a trial, the Houston Chronicle said Saturday.

Turbeville said as per District Attorney Pat Lykos' orders, a system is being constructed to help track down those individuals so they can finally have their day in court.

The assistant district attorney said some of the more than 600 suspects have already fled Harris County, including Tho Minh Quach, a suspect in a homicide more than 20 years ago who has since disappeared.

Crime victims' advocate Andy Kahan suggested prosecutors attempt to locate such missing suspects through the use of television.

"We should have a localized version of 'America's Most Wanted,'" Kahan, who is employed by the Houston mayor's office, told the Chronicle.