‘A Beretta 9mm pistol had been found in the roadway near the two surviving victims.  It was loaded with 12 cartridges in the magazine but no round in the chamber.’  – (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

‘The possibility exists that whoever was armed with the Beretta had simply failed to rack a round in the chamber.’ – (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

That was part of the initial Houston Police Department incident report, as recorded by HPD investigators when describing the scene they arrived upon in the early morning hours of December 7, 1998.   Investigators were called to a shooting that turned out to be the location of a failed drug deal robbery.  Charles Mamou fled that scene in a blue Lexus after his ride sped away without him, as testified to by both surviving witnesses. The police documented what they found at the time, including the loaded Beretta 9mm pistol found next to a man who was shot at the location on Lantern Point in Houston.

What was known by police and the District Attorney’s Office – is the incident began with three men bringing Mary Carmouche to a planned robbery of Charles Mamou on a dark alley.  What happened after that is still unclear, but I will share everything I have learned on this page in the coming weeks.

The Harris County prosecution didn’t exactly describe what they knew of the events, but rather, passionately described a bloodthirsty, premeditated killing spree during closing arguments.  They were trying to persuade the jury that Mamou should be sentenced to death, arguing he presented a continuing danger.  The only things the prosecution could know with certainty was what the two witnesses shared and what the police officers found upon their arrival – a loaded Beretta 9mm pistol beside a man that had been shot.  Other than that, the case against Charles Mamou has more questions than answers, including some information the District Attorney knew and the jury didn’t.

In a case with so many questions and little certainty, a lot of energy was devoted to the description of Charles Mamou in an effort to convince jurors to request the death penalty.

“You know, I know, he will commit criminal acts of violence in the future.  You know he will be a continuing threat.  And we only have to prove he probably will.  But each and every one of you know he would. The only question is when, and who will be the next victim?” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 30

“And what do you know about this defendant?  He’s vicious.   He’s ruthless.  He’s cold-blooded.  He’s manipulative.  He’s a liar, and he’s controlling.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 31

“He tried to murder all four of those people out there, but that was beyond his control.  But for the grace of God, Kevin Walter’s medical records would be an autopsy report with photos.  He almost died.  He severely injured him, and he tried to kill Dion Holley. That was his plan. It was all premeditated.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 33

“His comfort zones are guns and bloodshed and murder.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 36

“It’s only a question of when the next victim will be.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 39

“He devastated and destroyed.  And that’s all he’s ever done, with his drugs, with his guns.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 39

“Premeditation to the max.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 40

“He spends other people’s lives like other people spend money.  That’s his currency, death and destruction.  There is nothing mitigating in this case.  You could search till the cows come home.  You could have everything read back.  You could examine every piece of evidence.  You’ll never find any mitigating in this situation.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 46

“It’s not your fault that you’re here.  We’re here because of him. He placed you in that situation.  He forced you to have to make this decision.” –  Volume 24 of the Reporter’s Record at page 47

Although Lyn McClellan, the prosecutor, said, ‘You could examine every piece of evidence,’ everything the prosecution knew wasn’t shared with the jury.  Twenty years after the trial – I know more than the jury knew then. 

In addition to the witnesses stating Mamou’s driver left him behind, this is what was known and documented regarding that evening:

 ‘A Beretta 9mm pistol had been found in the roadway near the two surviving victims.  It was loaded with 12 cartridges in the magazine but no round in the chamber.’  (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

‘The possibility exists that whoever was armed with the Beretta had simply failed to rack a round in the chamber.’ (HPD Archived Incident Report 156416498, Supplement No. 2)

I will continue to share what I have learned over the last two years here.  The prosecution secured a death penalty and the case was never again heard on appeal.    Charles Mamou is currently waiting for his execution date. 

Anyone with information related to this case can contact me at kimberleycarter@verizon.net. There is also a facebook page dedicated to sharing the truth.

TO CONTACT CHARLES MAMOU:
Charles Mamou #999333
Polunsky Unit 12-CD-53
3872 South FM 350
Livingston, TX 77351