Williamson County Sheriff

Former Williamson County Sheriff Robert Chody and Jason Nassour, who serves as general counsel for the county, are accused of hiding — and eventually destroying — evidence connected to the in-custody death of Javier Ambler in 2019.

Following eight days of testimony, the jury deliberated for around four hours and found former Williamson County Sheriff's deputies James Johnson and Zachary Camden not guilty of manslaughter.

James Johnson and Zachary Camden, two former Williamson County sheriff's deputies, were charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of Javier Ambler. Ambler died in deputies' custody in March 2019.

Ambler's family filed a lawsuit against the county last year for his death in March 2019 while in the custody of Williamson County Sheriff's deputies.

"Today's announcement that charges will be streamlined for both counties jointly to prosecute is one we see as a more efficient — and ideally expeditious — path to justice," Ambler's family said in a statement Wednesday.

The 40-year-old Black man from Pflugerville died while in the custody of Williamson County sheriff's deputies. The encounter was filmed by a television crew from "Live PD."

The former deputy has been charged with oppression and assault after body camera footage shows he grabbed a domestic violence victim by the throat and shoved her against the wall.

The law, named for a Black man who died after being tasered by Williamson County deputies, would prohibit law enforcement agencies from entering into contracts with reality television shows.

One of the lawsuits claims deputies assaulted a man in June 2019 following a traffic stop for not having a front license plate.

Under the former sheriff's watch, the office has been criticized for its contract with the reality show "Live PD" and the death of a 40-year-old Black man in custody.