On March 20, 2021, weeks before his 18th birthday, 17 year old Corey Lennard Thompson Jr. was shot and killed by James Sotelo, known to many as his close friend.

After Harris County (Houston, Texas) law enforcement was notified, they arrived to Sotelo’s home and found that Corey was shot in the BACK of his head and chest 11 times and pronounced dead on arrival.  Sotelo’s biological brother was shot in the head, and is currently on life support.

On March 20th, Sotelo was identified as the shooter. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted the charge of murder and he was booked at the Harris County Jail. Investigators stated that “additional charges were possible and dependent on whether the brother survived his injuries.”

At the time of the murder, Sotelo was on bond for a previous assault he committed in June 2020. Less than 7 days after Corey’s brutal murder, Judge Josh Hill (District Court 232) and the District Attorney’s office approved Sotelo for another bond of $150,000. The bond was then reduced to $100,000, and he bonded out the very next day.

On April 26, 2021, Sotelo was charged with Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury against his brother who is still fighting for his life. Again, he was booked into Harris County jail and granted another bond of $50,000. But, as of April 27th, he was still incarcerated.  He is scheduled to appear back in Judge Josh Hill’s courtroom on April 28, 2021.

Corey had a smile that would light up the darkest room. He believed in embracing and loving all people, and only wanted people to enjoy the beauty of life with him. A great student and stand out athlete, he had such a promising future with plans to attend an Historically Black College and University to pursue an engineering degree. His mother, sister, family and friends are heartbroken and they demand justice!

Help us by signing this petition to revoke Sotelo’s bond and keep him in jail! Your signature will also help us create and present to lawmakers the “Corey Thompson Jr. Bill” which will deny individuals who commit murder, while on bond for violent crimes, from receiving another bond.

Fox 26 Houston: Story By Randy Wallace https://www.fox26houston.com/news/breaking-bond-even-defendants-accused-of-murder-get-yet-another-felony-or-pr-bond-to-freedom

Ways to Demand Justice for Corey: 

Contact The Harris County District Attorney's Office:

Kim Ogg - District Attorney, Joseph Sanchez - Asst. District Attorney          Phone:  713-274-5800                                                                          Email:  da@dao.hctx.net

Contact Houston Police Chief Troy Finner:                                                    Phone:  713-308-1600                                   

Contact Mayor Sylvester Turner:                                                                    Phone:  713-837-0311                                                                                    Email:  mayor@houstontx.gov