Family outraged over 45-year plea deal for good Samaritan's killer

The family of a murdered good Samaritan is upset with his killers' 45-year plea deal.

Tragic details of Greg Downs' murder

The backstory:

37-year-old repeat offender George Hodge was free from jail on a personal recognizance bond when he stabbed 61-year-old Greg Downs to death on November 3, 2022.

Downs was at a northwest side motel when he saw Hodge robbing people. He wrote down Hodge's vehicle information and when Hodge saw him do that, he stabbed him to death. 

Police found Downs' note and that led to Hodge's arrest. 

Emotional impact on Greg Downs' family

What they're saying:

Downs' daughter Ashley Ballesteros says she and her sister wanted to go to trial, but prosecutors gave Hodge 45 years in a plea agreement.

"It makes me enraged honestly," said Ballesteros. 

Hodge will be eligible for parole in 25 years. If paroled, then he would be around Downs' age.

I can't even wrap my mind around that," Ballesteros said.

District Attorney's Office statement on plea deal

The other side:

The Harris County DA's Office sent us this statement 

"Greg Downs family has endured a level of loss and suffering no family should ever have to experience. Our prosecutors are committed to seeking justice, but we deeply understand that justice does not always ease the profound pain felt by those who have lost a loved one."

The Source: Randy Wallace spoke with the family of Greg Downs and received a statement from the District Attorney's Office.

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