Quanell X lashed out at Austin County Sheriff Jack Brandes and Austin County District Attorney Travis Koehn for the handling of a Jan. 16 incident at Lindemann’s store in Industry.

Quanell X held a press conference on the steps on the Austin County Courthouse Monday, Jan. 23 and called Koehn “a clown” for his handling of the case.

Prior to the press conference, Koehn issued a press statement on the incident. It reads as follows:

“The Austin County District Attorney’s office has received offense reports, witness statements and extensive video evidence from the Austin County Sheriff’s office investigation concerning the Jan. 16 incident at Lindemann Store.

The District Attorney’s office is carefully reviewing this matter as we do with all investigations forwarded by law enforcement.

This remains an ongoing investigation. The office will continue to request and review any additional evidence that may be relevant to charging decisions in this incident.

When this matter is completed, the Austin County District Attorney’s office will issue a press release to notify the public regarding the outcome.”

Quanell X repeated over and over during the press conference what he perceives as a double standard of laws for “whites and a standard of laws for blacks.”

Quanell X is seeking charges to be brought against the three clerks at Lindemann’s that can be seen on store videos putting Betty Smith in a choke hold and holding her against her will in the story after she found a $50 bill on the floor at the store.

Smith was locked in the store while Austin County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene. According to Quanell X, he believes the clerks called the deputy to the scene on his personal cell phone and not through dispatch.  

The video shows one female clerk ripping the money out of her hand. As she tries to get it back, another female employee and a male employee shove and restrain Smith, who is also undergoing cancer treatments at this time.

“I came for a press conference and not a protest. I came here very peaceful today. You see, I have a track record of taking things to a whole another level if necessary. If that white man that assaulted Bettye, I’m going to lead a real protest and it will not be to the courthouse. I will lead a protest to his house. If I have to come back here and he’s not charged, then we will find you and we will let you know what time it is,” Quanell X said. “To all the hillbillies that think what he did was cool, you come on out too. You don’t have some scared to death people with us. I know what you are used to in this town but if Quanell X comes back, and I can and will come back, then you are not going to deal with me like that. Do the right thing and bring charges against them.”