Suspect Identified in 1988 Murder Case

April 4, 2007 -- The suspect has been identified as Travis D. Green (b/m, DOB 11-1-68), who is currently an inmate at the Polunsky Unit of the Texas prison system.

The victim, Margaret McGinnis, 82, of 1805 Crocker, was found dead at the scene. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.

HPD Homicide Division Sergeant E.S. Mehl reported:

On the morning of July 13,1988, Ms. McGinnis was found on the floor of her bedroom. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled. The attacker had entered the residence through the bedroom window and barricaded the door from the inside.

At the time, there were neither witnesses nor leads in the case.

In August of 2006, investigators from the HPD Homicide Division’s Cold Case Squad reopened the case for review. Evidence from Ms. McGinnis’ autopsy was located and sent to a lab for analysis. In October of 2006, a male pattern DNA profile was found and was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) where a match was located.

On February 5, 2007, the match profile was identified as that of Travis D. Green. Green is currently on death row, convicted of a 1999 sexual assault and murder. Due to this circumstance, no additional charges will be filed against Green at this time.

VHS/JFC 4-4-07
Inc# 55251988

For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200.