HOUSTON, TX – Dr. Matthews announced she is withdrawing her endorsement of Congressman and former Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee during a press conference focused on allegations surrounding the treatment of Tony Underwood’s family following a fatal Houston Police Department officer-involved shooting.

Dr. Matthews also criticized Menefee for missing eight votes in Washington, D.C., while campaigning in Texas, calling it one of the first red flags that caused her concern.

According to attorneys representing the Underwood family, Tony Underwood was shot by an HPD officer and later hospitalized as a quadriplegic before dying on the 79th day after the shooting. Attorneys U.A. Lewis and Courtney Vincent alleged the family was denied access to him for 34 days while he remained hospitalized.

The attorneys stated they fought the matter in criminal, civil, and federal courts to allow Underwood’s mother and relatives to visit him. They alleged the Harris County Attorney’s Office opposed those efforts while Menefee was serving as county attorney.

Family members also spoke during the press conference, describing what they said were repeated attempts to obtain updates and visitation access while Underwood remained hospitalized.

Dr. Matthews stated during the event that she could no longer support Menefee after hearing the allegations and reviewing what she described as evidence connected to the case. She publicly urged voters not to support him in future elections.

Attorneys involved in the case stated a lawsuit connected to the shooting and hospitalization was filed within the past two weeks.