The attorney for Deanna Jo Robinson expressed shock Friday after learning the Hunt County grand jury had cleared a Hunt County Sheriff’s Deputy who was videotaped earlier this year, reportedly hitting the then-pregnant Quinlan woman.
“We are very disappointed,” said attorney Carol Moss. “I guess they (the grand jury) did not see it the way we did.”
The grand jury issued a “no bill” Friday, naming Deputy Joshua Rodney Robinson concerning an allegation of aggravated assault against Robinson, no relation.
The panel also returned a no-bill naming Robinson on a charge of assault on a public servant, for allegedly attacking the deputy.
A “no bill” means the grand jury concluded its investigation without finding sufficient evidence to issue indictments, or “true bills,” in the case.
The grand jury did return an indictment of interference with child custody against Deanna Robinson for allegedly violating a court order, which was the basis of the March 4 incident.
“Apparently the grand jury did not see the video the way we saw it, where a deputy hit a 38-weeks pregnant woman,” Moss said.
Sheriff Randy Meeks said Tuesday his department had completed internal investigations into a video which showed Robinson hitting Deanna Robinson, and turned the results of the investigation in to the Hunt County District Attorney’s Office. The Texas Rangers also submitted the results of their separate investigation into the case.
The widely circulated video depicts the incident in question, as Robinson and a Quinlan Police Department officer attempt to restrain Deanna Robinson while an officer with Child Protective Services (CPS) serves an order to take custody of Robinson’s 18-month-old son.
Meeks has claimed an alternative narrative was that Deanna Robinson may have been going for his deputy’s gun, an assertion which she has denied.
The indictment for interference with child custody alleges Deanna Robinson violated a court order for a writ of attachment regarding the child, issued by the 196th District Court.
An arraignment date on the indictment was not immediately scheduled.
“We are ready to go before a jury and to let the jury decide,” Moss said.
Meeks said Friday he intends to issue a statement Monday afternoon concerning the decision by the grand jury.
Meeks previously said he would release the results of his department’s internal investigation into the incident following the completion of the grand jury’s probe.