Rangers request AG opinion

The Texas Rangers have requested an Attorney General’s opinion on whether to release 9-1-1 tapes relating to the shooting deaths of three Odessa police officers Sept. 8.

The Odessa American filed a Freedom of Information Act request Sept. 11 asking for the recorded 9-1-1 calls related to the shootings at Larry Neil White’s house.

A letter to the Attorney General dated Sept. 25 said the Rangers “are assisting with the criminal investigation into this incident. Consequently, the Department believes any records … pertain to an ongoing criminal investigation and are excepted from required public release …”

A representative of the AG’s office will now review the case and decide whether or not the tapes should be released.

In the meantime, Capt. Barry Caver said Thursday it could take some time before Texas Rangers close an investigation into the fatal shootings of three Odessa police officers.

“It’s just the same old thing,” he said. “We’re still trying to put everything together and organize our case files — it may be a while.”

Caver said the investigation into the Sept. 8 shootings of Odessa police corporals Arlie Jones Jr., Scott Gardner and Abel Marquez would take a while because of how much evidence Rangers have to look through.

“It’s really hard to expand on anything at this point,” he said. “We just have vast amounts of reports, audio and videotapes — we’re waiting on autopsy reports.”

Caver said this hasn’t been an easy investigation emotionally either.

“It’s certainly one of the most tragic cases we’ve worked in a long time, because three officers are dead,” he said.

Regardless, Caver said he’s trying to make certain the investigation is carried out perfectly.

“You just have to dot all your i’s and cross all your t’s,” he said. “We’re trying to be very meticulous and very methodical. We don’t want to leave any stones unturned and (want to) cover all the bases.”

Meanwhile, White, 59, sits behind bars in the Ector County Detention Center without bond. He faces three capital murder charges and three attempted capital murder charges in connection with the case.

Caver said he’s spoken with White, but he wouldn’t disclose what they talked about.

During the investigation, Caver said, Rangers have gone back to the 2900 block of Ventura Avenue to look over White’s residence. They’ve also spoken with Larry White’s wife, Judy, whom Caver said has been “very cooperative” in the investigation.

On Monday, Judge Mark Owens signed temporary protective and restraining orders filed by Judy White against her husband, Larry. The 57-year-old woman has also filed for divorce.

In regards to the shooting investigation, once it’s complete, Caver said he’ll turn over his information to Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland.

“Obviously he’ll review what we’ve done,” Caver said. “He may say we’ve missed something or may need to be clarified. He’ll then schedule a grand jury.”

On Thursday, Bland said he didn’t know when he’d receive the case but would “start the legal process” once it’s presented.