Judge grants stay in tampering case against former sheriff Robert Chody, prosecutor

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A Travis County judge granted state prosecutors a stay in the tampering trial against a former Williamson County sheriff and a former county prosecutor on Thursday. The stay effectively pauses the trial for an undetermined amount of time.

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Jason Nassour, a former prosecutor with the county, were charged with tampering with evidence related to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler in 2019.

According to court documents, the DA’s office, representing the State of Texas, appealed the judge’s previous decision on Wednesday denying a stay.

“The state has been looking forward to having a full and fair trial… [However], the state can’t continue at this time,” a state prosecutor said Thursday.

The filing indicates the state cannot prosecute parts of the indictment due to it being “preempted by federal law.”

The 2019 incident was captured by a “Live P.D.” camera crew. The chase that ended in Ambler’s death was never aired on television, and all footage from the scene was destroyed.

Much of Tuesday was spent over what was in a contract with the television show and when certain provisions were made. Wednesday was spent cross-examining a former Williamson County Commissioner Court judge on contracts. Two former photographers for “Live PD” also took the stand.

KXAN’s Barrett Tryon is in the courtroom and will provide live updates on X.

Trial for deputies connected to the case

Two former Williamson County Sheriff’s deputies who were tried in connection to Ambler’s death were found not guilty back in March.

The deputies’ trial was a separate case and will not have an impact on the outcome of the current trial for Chody and Nassour.