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2w ago

Tarrant County Grand Jury Declines to Indict Janie Perkins in 1991 Arlington Killing

Prosecutors cite cold-case evidence gaps, leaving open the possibility of a future presentation if new admissible information emerges.

On Sept. 17, 1991, Cynthia Gonzalez was reported missing in Arlington. Her body was found several days later in a rural area of Johnson County, police said.

Overview

  • Jurors returned a no bill on Friday, ending the current capital murder case against Janie Perkins in the death of Cynthia Gonzalez.
  • The District Attorney’s Office said decades-old cases often lack admissible proof because witnesses become unavailable and modern forensic or digital records are absent.
  • The 2025 arrest followed a University of Texas at Arlington criminology course that reviewed cold cases with Arlington police and prompted renewed scrutiny of Perkins.
  • Arlington police cited a missing alibi, alleged admissions reported by witnesses, and prior polygraph results that are not admissible in court.
  • Perkins’ attorney praised the evidence-based review and criticized the public narrative from police and UTA, while Arlington police said they respect the decision and stand by the investigation.