SAN ANTONIO – A man accused of killing his grandmother inside their home in Shavano Park had a long history of run-ins with police and Bexar County Sheriff’s deputies.
Joseph Martin Finnegan, 27, was arrested at the scene on Wednesday afternoon.
Sheriff’s deputies said they found Finnegan inside the home, located on Long Bow Road near Northwest Military Highway, covered in blood.
They also found the victim, Finnegan’s grandmother, dead inside the home.
Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar told reporters Wednesday the victim had called 911 herself, asking for help from BCSO’s Specialized Multidisciplinary Alternate Response Team or S.M.A.R.T.
He said she told dispatchers that her grandson was having mental health problems.
The home is less than a mile from the City of Shavano Park’s police department, yet officers did not respond immediately.
“We weren’t notified,” said Bill Hill, city manager and spokesperson for Shavano Park. “The specific request was for Bexar County’s mental health team to react and specifically requested that Shavano Park not respond.”
Hill said, in hindsight, though, that may not have been the best plan of action.
He said Shavano Park police officers are all trained to handle mental health calls, and Finnegan is no stranger to the department.
“We’ve been called to that residence and that particular suspect over 10 times, dating back to 2016,” Hill said. “He’s been charged multiple times, and the charges have either been dropped or not accepted by the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office.”
KSAT 12 News sent an email to the district attorney’s office, asking for a response to Hill’s statement. The DA’s office’s statement can be read below:
According to our records, there were a total of four cases regarding Joseph Martin Finnegan that were previously filed with the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office. Of the four, two were handled under the previous administration, so we cannot comment on those specifically.
In the remaining two cases, the victim chose not to proceed with testifying, which significantly limited our ability to move forward with prosecution. In the second case, which we believe relates to the comment you mentioned about “being released early,” the victim was not asked about early release. Instead, the DA’s Office discussed admitting Finnegan into the Felony Mental Health Court program, which offers the highest level of intensive treatment and supervision within the Bexar County court system. The victim expressed she was not opposed to the program as long as his mother and treatment team agreed. Ultimately, Finnegan completed the pretrial diversion program, which resulted in the closure of the case.
This is a tragic situation for everyone impacted, and our heartfelt sympathies remain with the families and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
At this time, our office will review all evidence related to this most recent investigation once received from law enforcement and will remain committed to pursuing justice through the legal process.
Bexar County District Attorney's Office
A spokesman for BCSO said that the agency’s records show at least half a dozen calls to the home within the past two years involving Finnegan.
One neighbor said after the call on Wednesday, the area instantly became a crime scene.
“Police cars, ambulance, all sorts of emergency vehicles,” said the neighbor who asked to remain anonymous.
He told KSAT 12 News the murder was shocking and referred to the victim as “very nice,” someone who was willing to help everyone.
The neighbor said he believes there’s a need for a thorough review of the response to the victim’s 911 call.
He said someone should’ve advised her to get to safety while waiting for deputies to arrive.
“Maybe stay on the phone. Maybe walk outside. Maybe walk to a neighbor’s,” he said.
As of Thursday afternoon, the victim’s name had not been released.
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