Former Williamson County Deputies Acquitted of Manslaughter Charges in Javier Ambler Case

Former Williamson County Deputies J.J. Johnson and Zach Camden were acquitted of Manslaughter by a Travis County jury on Thursday, March 7, 2024. The jury selection began on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and testimony commenced on Monday, February 26, 2024. Following deliberations on March 7, 2024, the jury found both defendants not guilty of Manslaughter.

Mr. Johnson and Mr. Camden were indicted on March 30, 2021, for the Manslaughter of Javier Ambler in March 2019.

The case was prosecuted by Director of Civil Rights and Appeals Division, Dexter Gilford, Assistant Director of Civil Rights and Appeals Division, Holly Taylor, and Assistant District Attorneys Destinee Williams and Jeff Flanagan.

Travis County District Attorney José Garza expressed sympathy for the Ambler family, stating, “Our hearts continue to break for the family of Javier Ambler. We hoped that the outcome of this trial would bring justice and closure to the family. We are grateful to our community members who served on the jury for this case, respect their decision, and thank them for their service.”