At Houston signing, victim Amy Castillo says her brother’s death spurred drive for bail reform

HOUSTON — At a public bill-signing event in Houston honoring recent bail-related legislation, Amy Castillo gave an emotional account of her brother's 2021 killing and urged others to join a new advocacy group.

"His name is Joshua Sandoval," Castillo said of the brother she lost on May 27, 2021. She told the signing that the man accused in the killing had been out on multiple felony bonds and that he failed to appear for a court hearing the same day he later killed her brother. "There is something deeply tragically wrong with the system that gives repeat violent felony offenders chance after chance while families like mine are given a life sentence of grief," Castillo said.

Castillo said she played a role in supporting the bills signed at the event and announced the formation of Texas Crime Victims United, a group she said will speak for families who have lost loved ones to repeat violent offenders. "I am proud to tell my brother he became a catalyst for change," she said.

Andy Khan, director of victim services for Crime Stoppers of Houston, introduced Castillo and recounted investigative steps his group took in related cases, including instances in which defendants failed to appear for required court steps before being implicated in further violent crimes. Rania Mankarios, CEO of Crime Stoppers of Houston, and officials onstage thanked victims and family members for persistent testimony that supporters said was central to passing the legislative package.

Castillo urged those gathered to join the movement she is helping to organize to support victims and press for implementation and voter approval of the proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 5).

Next steps: Castillo and others said they will continue organizing and urging Texans to vote on the constitutional amendment this fall.