HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The man accused of leading police on a chase that resulted in the death of Carrie Mitchell might still be in custody if a 2022 charge against him had not been dismissed, according to court records.
Joseph Jebbia is currently charged with murder for the fatal incident involving Mitchell, who was waiting for a bus along the North Freeway service road when Jebbia’s vehicle struck and killed her.
The key question now is why Jebbia was out driving if he had a pending charge. Court records reviewed by reveal that Jebbia was charged in 2022 with being a felon in possession of a weapon. At that time, he was on parole and held in the Harris County Jail.
However, just days before his trial was set to begin in December 2023, the charge was dismissed. The dismissal was attributed to a pending federal case, which, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, would have been impeded by the state case moving forward.
ABC13 sources indicated that the federal investigation was related to drug trafficking, but no federal charges were ever filed.
Former federal prosecutor Michael Wynne criticized the situation, saying, “The feds messed up; the case should have been prosecuted. Jebbia should not have been on the streets.” Wynne noted that while such issues can occur, typically federal charges are filed promptly to prevent defendants from being released.
Wynne described the situation as indicative of significant communication failures between federal and state law enforcement agencies. He emphasized that Mitchell’s family deserves an explanation from prosecutors.
Mitchell’s daughter was unaware of the dismissed charge and the lack of federal follow-up until contacted by. Wynne commented, “The odds are the feds just didn’t get around to it. There’s no excuse for that.”
The Department of Justice is currently reviewing the case but has stated they can only comment on what is officially recorded. Since no federal arrest was made, there is no record available for them to discuss.
