Houston crime: Man found not guilty of killing HPD officer by reason of insanity now back behind bars
Man acquitted of killing officer 15 years ago jailed for beating elderly roommate
Hung Troung, released from Rusk State Hospital four years ago after being found not guilty of killing an HPD officer by reason of insanity, is back in custody, accused of beating his elderly roommate. Those familiar with his case are unsurprised by the new felony charges.
HOUSTON - Hung Troung was released from Rusk State Hospital four years ago. Those familiar with his case say they aren't surprised he's once again facing felony criminal charges.
"If he doesn't take his medication, and he starts hearing those voices again, we'll be right back in the same scenario sadly with another victim," said Houston Police Union President Doug Griffith on December 17, 2020.
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Griffith's prediction four years ago about Hung Truong is now a reality.
On June 28, 2008, now retired Houston Police Department Officer Joe Pyland was relieving Houston Police Department Officer Gary Gryder at a construction site on I-10 at Highway 6.
"A young, careless criminal came crossing through the barricade that was up, striking Officer Gryder and myself," Pyland said.
Pyland had his leg rebuild, and Officer Gryder lost his life.
"His wife was a retired police officer. He had two children, it ruined their lives," said Ray Hunt Executive Director of the Houston Police Union.
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Truong told police he was hearing voices in his head telling him to kill a police officer. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity.
"It's pretty bizarre," said Pyland. "That's just the system that we live in. There's nothing I could do about it. Nothing anyone can do about it."
In 2020, Truong was released from Rusk State Hospital. Now, he's back behind bars charged with assault on the elderly.
Police say Truong beat up a 65-year-old man. They were both living in a group home at 12441 Sharpview.
Ray Hunt told Officer Cryder's widow about Truong's recent run in with the law.
"She's clearly devastated by it," he said. "She's fearful that someone else out there is going to have to go through what she had to go through, when she goes to the hospital and is told your husband is not coming home."
Truong was placed in a holding cell during probable cause court on Wednesday for being disruptive.
Some question if Truong is in this country legally.
The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has the full story.