Teen Confesses to Paralyzing Woman in Houston Robbery in Jailhouse Phone Calls

Teen Confesses to Paralyzing Woman in Houston Robbery in Jailhouse Phone Calls

A 17-year-old teen named Joseph Harrell has been caught on jailhouse phone calls confessing to a violent robbery that left a Vietnamese mother paralyzed last month. The incident took place on February 13, 2023, in the 9800 block of Bellaire in Houston, Texas, where Harrell and his accomplice, Zy'Nika Ayesha Woods, attacked Nhung Truong, 44, during a robbery. Truong had withdrawn a large amount of cash for an upcoming trip to visit her family in Vietnam when the suspects observed her withdrawing from a bank in Chinatown before following her for more than 20 miles to Bellaire.

According to the recordings obtained by ABC 13, Harrell can be heard confessing to the crime and continuing to threaten the victim. "We were snatching purses," Harrell confessed. "I hopped out, snatched the purse, the lady ran with the money, I grabbed her, slammed her, and she was paralyzed." Harrell was also heard laughing at those who think he could spend up to 20 years in prison for his crime. He added, "The lady probably wants justice and some more (expletive). They'll try to max me out 20 years basically. That (expletive). I ain't going for it. The (expletive) already ran up $230,000 off GoFundMe. (Expletive) better run on with her life. Like, (expletive) you done run up $230,000. Look. They say she ran up $230,000 and she'll be back walking in no less than a year."

The recording was obtained from a source close to the investigation amid a judge's controversial decision to cut the suspect's bond in half from $200,000 to $100,000. Harrell, who was also charged in a separate robbery that took place more than a week later, also had his bond lowered from $40,000 to $30,000 for that case.

The decision to cut Harrell's bond has raised concerns among law enforcement officials. President of Houston Police Officers Union Douglas Griffith told ABC 13 that Harrell would be a threat to the public if he makes bond. "My concern is for the public. If this kid gets out of jail, he is going to victimize more individuals. He does not care about anyone but himself, and for the judge to lower his bond baffles my mind. I can't wrap my head around it. This kid is a danger to others and the community and needs to be locked up."

The victim of the robbery, Nhung Truong, suffered broken ribs and a severe spinal cord injury, leaving her paralyzed. Harrell's accomplice, Zy'Nika Ayesha Woods, was also arrested and charged with robbery. Woods was handed a $50,000 bond.

In summary, the case of Joseph Harrell has raised concerns about the justice system and the safety of the community. The controversial decision to cut his bond has left law enforcement officials worried about the possibility of Harrell victimizing more individuals if he is released. The victim of the robbery, Nhung Truong, suffered a severe spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed, and the suspects have shown no remorse for their actions. It remains to be seen what steps will be taken to ensure justice for Truong and prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

De Pacina, Michelle. "Teen accused of paralyzing woman in Houston robbery confesses in jailhouse phone calls." Yahoo News, 29 Mar. 2023, https://www.yahoo.com/news/teen-accused-paralyzing-woman-houston-211218487.html. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.