Fired Fort Worth officer’s lawyer calls police investigation ‘garbage’

CONTINUED TO BE WORTH IT — The attorney for a Fort Worth police officer who was fired Friday after shooting a man while on duty last month said his firing was the “predictable result of a trash investigation.”

“It was clear from the beginning that FWPD (Fort Worth Police Department) leadership determined the outcome they wanted and ignored the mountain of evidence to the contrary,” P. Michael Schneider, William Martin’s criminal defense attorney, said in a statement .

Investigators reported that Martin claimed a red Ford F-150 struck his vehicle on Sept. 3 near I-35W and Morningside Drive. While speaking to 911, the off-duty officer followed the truck and opened fire on Samuel Christopher. Martin claimed shots were fired at him. Fort Worth police determined Christopher was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He survived.

On September 20, Martin was arrested in connection with the shooting. He had been entrusted with seconded tasks. Martin was terminated on Friday.

Christopher’s lawyers declined to comment. The Fort Worth Police Department issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to officer accountability.

“The Fort Worth Police Department is full of officers who do their jobs right every day,” the department said. “Our department will continue to hold accountable employees who do not meet the standards expected of a Fort Worth police officer, and in doing so we will continue to be transparent and open with our community.”

Schneider cautioned that the case should serve as a warning to current Fort Worth police officers.

“If you see a crime being committed and citizens being put in harm’s way while you’re not on duty, despite your sworn duty under state law, it’s probably best to ignore it and turn away… because this government will pretty much come after you “Turn your back on safety,” said Schneider.

For Rev. Roderick Smith, Martin’s resignation was welcome and a long time coming.

“We knew God would make it happen,” said Smith, Jacquelyn Craig’s first cousin.

In 2016, Craig called the FWPD because a neighbor was attacking her child. Craig became the focus of the incident and a controversial arrest of Martin. A lawsuit in the high-profile case was settled for $150,000, and Martin kept his job. Craig died in 2023 while battling cancer.

Martin, a 19-year veteran, still faces aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.

“We are encouraged and hopeful that the jury will do its job,” Smith said. “And Martin could be convicted for his actions.”