A Bowie father who applied to run for his local school board took his own life after district officials pressed felony charges against the man.
Bowie Independent School District trustees voted to bring an illegal wiretapping charge against Justin Kuecher for recording a conversation between two Bowie ISD administrators while he was filling out his candidate application.
Those trustees included Guy Green, who is also the Bowie chief of police.
Civil rights attorney CJ Grisham, who was representing Kuecher against what he calls a “bogus” charge, blames the trustees for his client’s death.
“You guys have blood on your hands. My client Justin is dead. My client Justin committed suicide after facing a bogus felony charge from this board,” Grisham told the trustees during an August 26 school board meeting.
Kuecher used his cellphone to record himself applying to be a school board candidate, to help others interested in getting involved in local government. He later posted the audio recording on social media.
At one point in the process, Kuecher stepped out to retrieve his driver’s license from his car, leaving his phone on the counter.
During that time, Bowie ISD Superintendent Donna Hale and her assistant Kelli Ragsdale were recorded mocking Kuecher.
Ragsdale is also the school district secretary and was helping Kuecher fill out his form.
Hale, who previously worked as the assistant superintendent for Perryton ISD during the Cole Underwood sex abuse scandal, had walked into the room before Kuecher stepped out.
School officials claim Kuecher’s recording became illegal at that point because the two women allegedly didn’t know they were being recorded, although they appear to whisper their comments.
According to The Bowie News, Ragsdale filed a personal complaint on August 8 with the Bowie Police Department, accusing Kuecher of recording her conversation with Hale without their knowledge. Bowie Police Lt. Bob Blackburn reportedly said the offense was a second-degree felony and indicated a warrant had been obtained but Kuecher had not been arrested.
During an August 18 school board meeting in which trustees—including Chief Green—conferred privately with the district attorney, the board voted to pursue a criminal charge against Kuecher of unlawful interception by electronic device.
Trustees Jeff Jackson and Angie Christmas abstained from the vote, according to The Bowie News. Kuecher had applied to challenge Jackson.
Grisham said he tried to reassure his client not to worry, but Kuecher apparently took his own life on August 21.
“I don’t know a single jurisdiction in the state of Texas where you vote on if someone committed a crime, and yet that’s what Bowie ISD did when they voted on whether or not they were going to press charges. So we know this is political from the outset,” Grisham told trustees.
“Somehow, I hope there is justice. I will look at everything as a civil rights attorney to hold you accountable for this death,” he added.
Ragsdale was also recorded telling Kuecher that “state statute” required him to undergo a background check, which is not true.
“We just need to make sure that whoever is running for us, we know that their background is clear,” Ragsdale assured Kuecher after he asked if that was a state statute or a district policy.
In a video posted on August 28, Grisham explained the details of the case and shared the full audio recording made by Kuecher.
“We have a problem when you don’t trust your own justice system, when the town is so corrupt that you don’t believe you can get justice,” said Grisham. “It’s a sad commentary.”
Justin Kuecher’s brother Ryan Kuecher posted to social media on August 29 that he has “text message proof that all my brother wanted was an apology from the board, and the issue would have been over.”
“Instead today, which would have been his 40th birthday, we are waiting for the phone call from the Dallas Coroner to tell us his body is being released,” he wrote.
I am not an attorney, I don’t have all the facts. But my brothers wife and attorney have our families FULL support. If no wrongdoing was done, so be it. We will find peace in doing everything we could. If it is found that there was wrongdoing on behalf of the board it will be pursued, and this time we won’t be looking for an apology.
Bowie ISD, through its outside attorney, asserted that trustees and administrators “followed the law in all respects” and that there was “credible evidence to show criminal conduct” by Justin Kuecher.
Grisham disagrees.
“Accountability is coming, and I am that accountability,” said Grisham.
The district has not responded to a request for comment.
The next regular meeting of the Bowie ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled for September 15.
Full statement released August 28 by attorney Andrea Mooney with Eichelbaum, Wardell, Hansen, Powell, & Muñoz, P.C on behalf of Bowie ISD:
In light of questions raised regarding charges previously filed by the District against Mr. Kuecher, the Bowie Independent School District Board of Trustees and Administration followed the law in all respects. Despite current claims to the contrary, there was credible evidence to show criminal conduct by a violation of law, which was reviewed by law enforcement and the District Attorney’s office. The Bowie ISD Board of Trustees followed the procedures outlined by the District Attorney’s office to have charges filed for criminal conduct.
All available information indicated the District, its officials, and staff were the victims of a crime. Unfortunately, the District cannot prevent misinformation and the spin being circulated by those who want to attack the District. Regardless of the ongoing false accusations, Bowie ISD extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Justin Kuecher. Our thoughts remain with his friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.
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