Brett Jensen, a businessman and recent Republican primary candidate in Texas’ 8th Congressional District, was arrested Sunday night on suspicion of assault-family violence involving impeding breathing. According to investigators, deputies were called to Houston Methodist Hospital in The Woodlands after Jensen’s wife reported that he slapped and strangled her, and she stated that this was not the first time. Jensen’s campaign and attorney deny the allegations and say he will fight the charges in court.
Harris County Precinct 4 deputies came to the hospital, and county court papers detail the wife’s claims that Jensen slapped and strangled her, as well as other alleged instances. According to a law enforcement source, Jensen informed hospital staff that his wife had fallen after getting drunk at a party, which contradicts the victim’s allegation in court filings. Click2Houston reports that Harris County records and local media document the arrest and charge.
Jensen ran in the March Republican primary for Texas’ 8th Congressional District but fell short of the nomination, receiving around 12.7% of the vote. The open seat received a lot of attention this campaign, and Jensen remained a visible contender in the district’s Republican field. According to Wikipedia, post-primary tallies and election summaries reflect these results.
An assault against a family or household member that interferes with normal breathing or circulation is considered an aggravated offense in Texas and can result in a felony conviction. The statute prohibits manual or ligature strangulation, as well as any acts that impede a victim’s airway or blood flow, and potential punishments vary depending on the level of the charge and any past convictions. The Texas Penal Code specifies the elements of the crime and how they are defined.
Jensen was arrested on an assault-family violence charge and is due to appear in probable cause court Monday evening, according to local reports. Brent Mayr, his attorney, told reporters that “he’s 100 percent not guilty” and that he will appear in court alongside Jensen to contest the case. According to Click2Houston, prosecutors will analyze the complaint and decide whether to file formal charges, after which the case will be heard in Harris County’s criminal courts.
If you or someone you know is in urgent danger, call your local emergency services or the domestic violence hotline at 713-528-2121. The Harris County District Clerk’s internet site provides access to official case files and court dockets.
This is a developing story.
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