Arrest in Morales Beating Death

Press release from the Austin Police Department's Public Information Office regarding the arrest of Kurtiss Colvin in the beating death of David Morales, big news that, being out over the Fourth, we missed:

SUSPECT ARRESTED IN THOMPSON STREET HOMICIDE

Austin Police Department Homicide detectives have filed charges against a suspect in connection to the homicide that occurred on Tuesday, June 19th, at 900 Thompson Street. Kurtiss Colvin, 20 (DOB: 07-28-86) has been charged with Manslaughter, a second degree felony; Theft from Person, a state jail felony; and Assault with Injury, a class A misdemeanor. Bond was set at $215,000 for all three charges.

At approximately 9:31 p.m. Central East patrol officers responded to a person down call at 900 Thompson Street. Upon arrival officers located David Rivas Morales, 40 (DOB: 04-09-67) who was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. According to the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, the cause of death was due to injuries received during the assault.

The on-going investigation indicates there was an auto pedestrian collision in the parking lot of 900 Thompson Street. Michael Hosea, Jr., 2 (DOB: 11-28-04) was accidentally struck by a Ford Taurus. Hosea was transported by private vehicle to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Immediately following the collision, the driver of the vehicle was assaulted by several persons. Morales was assaulted when he tried to stop the subjects from assaulting the driver. During the initial assault on Morales, he was struck to the ground. While he was on the ground, Morales was assaulted again.

Detectives are asking anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have information about the suspects or suspect vehicle or the incident to call the Homicide tip line at 477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 472-8477. Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1000 for information. Homicide detectives are also requesting individuals with photos and/or video of the incident to also contact the Homicide tip line. This case remains under investigation by Homicide detectives. This was the 11th murder in 2007.