Twin Peaks bikers appear in court, submit DNA swabs

For the second week in a row, about 24 bikers indicted in the May 2015 Twin Peaks shootout were in court Thursday, with 16 submitting DNA samples as part of the ongoing investigation.


The bikers in court Thursday were members of the Bandidos or one of the Bandidos support groups. Last week, (link is external) about 20 Cossacks or members of their support groups were required to appear in Waco’s 54th State District Court as trial dates grow closer for several bikers.


A Waco Police Department crime scene technician took DNA swabs from inside 16 of the bikers’ mouths based on search warrants issued by 74th State District Judge Gary Coley Jr. Court officials said other bikers in the group already had submitted swabs voluntarily.


After the brief court appearance, the bikers and attorneys were told to return to court March 23 for another appearance on the court’s announcement docket.


Security was tight at the courthouse (link is external), with extra officers posted on the inside and outside of the building.


Prosecutors are still providing evidence to defense attorneys (link is external) as the materials are analyzed and become available. Of the 192 bikers arrested since the May 2015 shootout, 155 have (link is external) been (link is external) indicted (link is external) on identical engaging in organized criminal activity charges, first-degree felonies.


The first trial is set for April 17 (link is external) in Waco’s 19th State District Court. The first biker to stand trial likely will be Christopher Jacob Carrizal; his father, Christopher Julian Carrizal; or Jerry Pierson, all Bandidos from Dallas.


Seven more bikers have tentative trial dates from June through December.

Comments