Hidalgo Co. Residents Hopeful As New DA Plans to Look into Old Cases

By Tiffany Huertas
Valley Central
January 1, 2015

http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=1143603#.VKfLafl_uSp

Supporters from all over the Valley gathered Thursday evening at the Pharr Events Center for the swearing-in of the new Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez.

On hand to administer the oath of office was Representative Joaquin Castro of San Antonio

Some supporters said the change is long overdue and hope Rodriguez will listen to them.

"I totally believe that he will look into not only the Irene Garza case, but all cases," said Noemi Sigler, Supporter.

The Garza family has supported Rodriguez since the beginning.

They've been trying to get the unsolved murder case of Irene Garza re-opened for years.

The former Texas beauty queen and school teacher was killed more than 50 years ago, but no one has ever been charged for her death.

The Garza’s said when they approached the now former DA Rene Guerra about reviewing the case, they got the cold shoulder.

"He showed absolutely no compassion, to the point of being disrespectful, and I will go out on a limb and say cruel," said Noemi Sigler, Garza family member.

The family is putting their faith in Rodriguez. The new DA said he will look into all cases new and old.

"There's old cases people have talked about. I have not been previewed to those cases but as soon as we hit the ground running, we're going to go back and look at those cases and decide what we're going to do with those cases," said Ricardo Rodriguez, District Attorney.

Rodriguez wants to work with Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra to build a strong relationship with law enforcement, and rebuild the public's trust.

"Change is always good. Some people don't like it, but I feel like in this case is going to be good," said Hidalgo County Sheriff Eddie Guerra.