Texas
Lawyers for wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing Porsche into man on first date argue her designer heels caused deadly crash
The wealthy Texas housewife accused of plowing into and killing a man on a first date while drunk and high claims her expensive high heels got stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche 911 Carrera.
Kristina Chambers, 34, went on trial Friday for manslaughter in connection with the April 2023 crash that killed 33-year-old Joseph McMullin as he and his date were leaving a Voodoo Doughnut shop in Houston.
Prosecutors allege Chambers had been bar-hopping with friends that night, was four times over the legal alcohol limit, and had small baggies of cocaine in her car and purse, according to the Houston Chronicle.
But her attorney, Mark Thiessen, argued her designer shoes caused the fatal crash.
Thiessen claims his clients expensive Christian Louboutin heels had gotten stuck on the gas pedal of her Porsche as she drover down “one of Houston’s most dangerous curves.”
However, prosecutors Andrew Figliuzzi refuted the argument to the jury — believing Chambers was “itching to show off her sports car” to her two friends inside the Porsche at the time of the fatal wreck.
About an hour after the crash, Chambers registered a blood alcohol level of .301, nearly four times the legal limit, the Houston Chronicle reported, citing medical records.
Audio tech Briana Iturrino, who was on a date with McMullin that night, told the court they’d just left Voodoo Doughnuts around 2:25 a.m. when she saw blinding headlights barreling straight at them.
Iturrino testified that she realized the speedy sports car — estimated to be traveling over 70 mph at the time of impact — was about to make a sharp turn directly toward them.
In the blink of an eye, the Porsche whipped past, missing Iturrino by inches — and when she turned to shout a warning to McMullin, he had vanished.
“I thought he had gotten out of the way, because I couldn’t find him,” Iturrino said.
Iturrino said she felt something brush against her hip, which she first thought was the car, but later realized was McMullin being thrown about 30 feet as Chambers drove on and slammed into a pole.
She then called 911 and a dispatcher instructed her to perform CPR until paramedics arrived, but McMullin died at the scene.
Chambers and her two passengers were injured in the wreck.
The general manager of the nearby Slick Willie’s pool hall, Alfredo Ponce, also testified, telling the court he heard the crash and ran outside to help, the outlet reported.
“I’ve seen so many accidents on that road,” Ponce said. “Every time, I get out and help whoever needs help and is injured.”
Ponce testified that the crash was one of the worst he had seen and said when he reached the sports car to help those inside he remembered it reeked of alcohol.
Chambers was charged with manslaughter in McMullin’s death. She has pleaded not guilty, with prosecutors alleging she was driving at an excessive speed and lost control of her vehicle.
In the two years since her arrest, Chambers’ case has seen a string of legal battles.
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by McMullin’s parents against Chambers in June 2023 remains pending.
The suit also partly blames Chambers’ former partner — hedge fund manager, Xuan Si, who filed for divorce from her just days after she was released on bail — for purchasing the luxury sports car just months before the fatal crash.
However, Si has denied purchasing the sports car for his ex-wife, claiming instead that she bought the car herself using cash from their joint account.
Si also denied that his wife had a drinking problem, and said he had never seen her consume drugs or drive drunk.
Sebastian Lopez — a close friend who was riding with Chambers the night of the fatal crash — described her as an “alcoholic” in his deposition and claimed Si knew she regularly drank and did drugs.
He added that she’d driven drunk “a handful” of times, even after getting the luxury Porsche.
McMullins grieving parents are seeking over $1 million in compensation for their son’s death.
Lawyers in Chambers’ criminal trial have been forbidden from mentioning the explosive claims in the civil lawsuit, which is slated for an April court date.
If you want to get into the FIFA spirit, all you have to do is look up.
Dallas’ Reunion Tower unveiled a new series of FIFA‑themed light shows Thursday night, kicking off a monthlong celebration as North Texas prepares to host nine FIFA World Cup matches at AT&T Stadium.
The displays are the work of Scott Ingham, who has spent the last four months designing graphics that will transform one of Dallas’ most recognizable landmarks into a tribute to the world’s biggest sporting event.
“That’s where the magic happens,” Ingham said from the control room where he programs the tower’s displays.
While most people see Reunion Tower as part of the Dallas skyline, Ingham sees hundreds of lights and millions of possibilities.
Bringing soccer energy to Dallas
Throughout the tournament, the tower will display FIFA graphics, soccer‑inspired animations, and, on match days at AT&T Stadium, the flags of the competing nations. Special displays are also planned whenever Team USA takes the pitch.
“The idea is that we can put Japan and Argentina and put their flag up and show it up,” Ingham said. “And so we can kind of maybe generate a little bit of excitement that way for the match.”
The displays are powered by a lighting system installed last year, representing one of the most advanced upgrades in Reunion Tower’s history.
“It is fun because we can do more,” Ingham said.
Years of planning behind upgrades
The project took years of planning and included about 13 prototypes before the final system was selected.
“We designed them, built them … and then we shipped the lights here, installed them,” he said.
The upgraded system features nearly nine miles of wiring. The fixtures themselves are also significantly lighter than their predecessors.
“The new one is half the weight and twice the size,” Ingham said.
The last major lighting upgrade at Reunion Tower came in 2012. The new technology allows for smoother animations, expanded color capabilities, and more detailed displays.
FIFA accelerates the transformation
Reunion Tower Vice President of Operations Shawn Miller said FIFA helped accelerate the project.
“We see guests from all corners of the earth every day, every month,” Miller said. “So with FIFA on the books, nine matches, we really, really wanted to show what Dallas is all about.”
Miller said visitors can expect to see nearly two dozen FIFA‑themed shows throughout the tournament.
“You’ll know when the tournament’s kicking off. You’ll know when there’s a match,” Miller said. “When the U.S. team’s playing, I would imagine you’ll see upwards to a dozen and a half, two dozen shows throughout the tournament.”
For Dallas, the displays represent more than entertainment. As the city prepares to welcome visitors from around the globe, Reunion Tower’s lights have become another way to say: Welcome to North Texas.
June schedule of light shows
Reunion Tower FIFA Light Show Schedule
- June 11: World Cup Kickoff
- June 12: USA World Cup Game
- June 14: Flag Day / Dallas World Cup Game: Netherlands vs. Japan
- June 17: Dallas World Cup Game: England vs. Croatia
- June 18: Red for the RedBall Project in partnership with the Dallas Arts District
- June 19: USA World Cup Game
- June 21: Father’s Day
- June 22: Dallas World Cup Game: Argentina vs. Austria
- June 25: Dallas World Cup Game: Japan vs. Sweden and USA World Cup Game
- June 27: Dallas World Cup Game: Jordan vs. Argentina June 30: Dallas World Cup Game
Additional June light shows include Pride‑themed displays on June 5, June 6 and June 7.
Events planned on the Geo‑Deck
Reunion Tower is also hosting a series of events throughout June, many of which are included with general admission to the Geo‑Deck.
Upcoming activities include Lotería nights, silent discos, family programming, music bingo, painting classes, fitness events and special appearances from local guests.
A full list of events, ticket information, and the latest schedule updates can be found on Reunion Tower’s website.
Landen Williams-Callis hasn’t been discussed a ton in the last month or two. Real information as it relates to Texas’ chances has been a bit tougher to come by on the elite running back from Richmond Randle. Today, Inside Texas was able to confirm that he’ll take an official visit to Texas next weekend. We’ve long known Texas wanted LW-C, but we haven’t had a good gauge on his interest in Texas.
The New World screwworm outbreak in Texas has reached five confirmed cases, prompting state agencies to establish infested zones aimed at containing the parasite’s spread.
Federal help is now involved as officials respond to the threat posed by the parasite, whose fly larvae burrow into the living flesh of warm-blooded animals, causing severe tissue damage and potential death.
“We know this development is a serious threat,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said. “We’ve increased the trapping for flies along the border and ramping up surveillance.”
The Texas Animal Health Commission has established four 12.5-mile infested zones where officials believe the parasite is located and reproducing. The closest zone to Austin is Zone 3, which includes Gillespie, Kerr, and Kimble counties.
Zone 3 was created after New World screwworm was found in a goat in Harper, Texas, on Monday. Rollins also said, “Over the past week and a half, USDA has confirmed 6 cases of the new world screw worm within the US, all but 1 in the South, uh, South of Texas.”
ALSO| New World Screwworm case confirmed in Texas, bringing total of cases in the U.S. to six
State officials say the zones are used to prevent the spread of the parasite and restrict the movement of livestock and other warm-blooded animals through the area.
In Fredericksburg, some residents said the infested zone is a necessary step. Joan Smith, who lives in Fredericksburg, said, “It’s a good thing to protect people. It needs to be done.”
Smith said pet owners should take precautions and consult their veterinarians.
“Many of our neighbors, we called our local veterinarians. They told us as long as we were using certain medications, your pet is covered,” she said. “Definitely talk to your local veterinarians because they can update you.”
Some businesses in the area said the county’s infested-zone label is not expected to impact tourism this summer.
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