Travis County prosecutors will not proceed with a case against an Austin police officer, saying Monday that an assistant district attorney who initially handled the case failed to disclose favorable evidence to his defense and to colleagues.

The case against officer Gregory Gentry was dismissed "in the interest of justice," according to court records. 

In a letter Monday to Gentry's attorney, District Attorney José Garza said he learned that the prosecutor on the case had consulted with an expert concerning Gentry's use of force on a suspect and that the expert, who was not identified, deemed it lawful. 

The cases against Gentry and a second officer, Chance Bretches, were particularly significant, the first indictments brought against officers by Garza, who ran on a platform of police accountability. They also highlighted the disparity in how prosecutors and police officials viewed the evidence after police administrators also had deemed the officers' force appropriate.

Travis County prosecutors will not proceed with a case against an Austin police officer, saying&nbsp;Monday that an assistant district attorney who initially handled the case failed to disclose favorable evidence to his defense and to colleagues.
The case against officer Gregory Gentry was dismissed "in the interest of justice," according to court records.&nbsp;
In a letter Monday to Gentry's attorney, District Attorney Jos&eacute; Garza said he learned that the prosecutor on the case had consulted with an expert concerning Gentry's use of force on a suspect and that the expert, who was not identified,&nbsp;deemed it lawful.&nbsp;
The cases against Gentry and a second officer, Chance Bretches,&nbsp;were particularly significant, the first&nbsp;indictments brought against officers by Garza, who ran on a platform of police accountability. They also&nbsp;highlighted the disparity in how prosecutors and police officials viewed the evidence after police administrators also had deemed the officers' force appropriate.

News Briefs from the Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX

News Briefs from the Austin American Statesman, Austin, TX

Austin News Briefs - Austin American Statesman

Austin - Case against Austin officer dismissed after DA says prosecutor withheld evidence