ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Two civil complaints have emerged, shedding light on a series of tragic incidents involving Ryan Ricky Houston that spanned multiple counties in Western North Carolina in August, ultimately resulting in his death and the deaths of two others. The legal action highlights serious allegations of neglect by various officials in Buncombe County, painting a troubling portrait of oversight failures.
The plaint brought forth by the family of Malerie Crisp, Houston’s estranged girlfriend, targets Buncombe County, Houston’s estate, County Manager Avril Pinder, and other personnel previously associated with judicial services. The lawsuit particularly criticizes the county’s pretrial services for their handling of Houston, who was under electronic surveillance as part of his pretrial release conditions associated with charges of domestic violence and earlier confrontations with law enforcement.
Allegations in the federal lawsuit assert that more than 240 alert violations from Houston’s monitoring device were inadequately addressed. These alerts included multiple instances of GPS signal loss and tampering attempts by Houston, which were reportedly not communicated to the judiciary, including Judge Jacqueline Grant. The results were catastrophic, as the monitoring lapses culminated in an unspeakable tragedy on August 2, 2024, when Houston is alleged to have stabbed Crisp following a high-speed pursuit that ended in a violent crash.
According to the documents, prior to her death, Crisp made a call to her son, mentioning she would return home soon. Contrarily, she was later seen in Houston’s vehicle, traveling at perilous speeds that discouraged pursuit by law enforcement. The situation escalated when Houston tried to maneuver past a large truck, resulting in a collision that sent their vehicle careering into roadside barriers.
Eyewitnesses described the gruesome aftermath where Crisp was ejected from the car onto the interstate shoulder. While awaiting help, she was reportedly stabbed with a knife, a piece of evidence later recovered in Houston’s vehicle along with containers of alcohol. Subsequently, Houston fled the scene, marking the beginning of a deadly 24-hour spree that saw him forcing entry into a residence, a series of car thefts, and another fatal crash involving a retired police chief.
The repercussions of these events also extended to the staff of Buncombe County’s pretrial services with both Rasnelly Vargas and Renee Ray resigning from their positions. The wrongful death complaint lodged by Cauble seeks punitive damages and is insistent on a jury trial. Meanwhile, a separate state court filing accuses Houston’s estate of negligence in connection to Crisp’s death.
Seeking a response from Buncombe County regarding these allegations, an update will be provided as new information becomes available. This multifaceted legal battle underscores significant concerns about the efficacy and accountability of pretrial monitoring programs.
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