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Mays indicted for capital murder
Monitor Staff Reports
ATHENS–A man charged with killing two Henderson County sheriff’s
deputies and wounding a third was indicted on multiple charges
Wednesday.
Randall Wayne Mays, 47, was named on two indictments for Capital Murder
of a Peace Officer, along with an indictment for Attempted Capital
Murder of a Peace Officer/Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant.
All three indictments stemmed from a May 17 shooting incident at Mays’
rural Payne Springs residence that resulted in the deaths of veteran law
enforcement officers Paul Habelt, 63, and Tony Ogburn, 61.
A third deputy, Kevin Harris, 40, was shot in the right leg. All three
deputies were shot with a high-powered rifle.
Mays was also wounded in the right elbow and side during an exchange of
gunfire.
During a transfer from the hospital to the Smith County Jail, Mays told
reporters he shot the deputies because he felt he was being treated
unfairly.
The indictments against Mays were among 40 True Bills issued by the
Henderson County Grand Jury Wednesday, according to information released
by District Attorney Donna R. Bennett.
Other indictments were returned against:
• Darren Butts, w/m (white male), 45, from Gun Barrel City, indicted for
Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child/Indecency with a Child.
• Thomas Capps, w/m, 37, from Kemp, indicted for Assault on a Public
Servant.
• William Christopher Howell, w/m, 19, from Lindale, indicted for
Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
• Stephen Lee Bowman, w/m, 50, from Malakoff, indicted for Intoxicated
Assault (two indictments; habitual criminal enhancement on both
indictments).
• Bryan Gordan Lewis, w/m, 40, from Athens, indicted for Assault Family
Violence with Prior Conviction.
• Amber Lynn Coder, w/f (white female), 19, from Kemp, indicted for
Endangering a Child.
• Oscar Lopez, w/m, 21, from Athens, indicted for Tampering with
Government Record/Tampering with Government Record.
• Tami Rene Florence, w/f, 25, from Bullard, indicted for Driving While
Intoxicated.
• Jason Chris Hilton, w/m, 37, from Larue, indicted for Driving While
Intoxicated (habitual criminal enhancement).
• Donald Christian Schlee, w/m, 51, from Kemp, indicted for Driving
While Intoxicated.
• Roger Martinez, w/m, 42 from Gun Barrel City, indicted for Forgery by
Passing (two indictments); also indicted for Forgery by Making.
• Clarence Anthony Keith, w/m, 51, from Lancaster, indicted for Driving
While Intoxicated (habitual criminal enhancement).
• John Melvin Hambrick, w/m, 42, from Seven Points, indicted for
Possession of a Controlled Substance (habitual criminal enhancement).
• Roger Bailey Learned, w/m, 21, from Mesquite, indicted for Possession
of a Controlled Substance.
• Billy Joe Brutchin, w/m, 32, from Hugo, Okla., indicted for Driving
While Intoxicated.
• Jimmie Wayne Antley, w/m, 44, from Coushatta, La., indicted for
Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
• Debra Roberts Moss, w/f, 21, from Larue, indicted for Possession of a
Prohibited Substance in a Correctional Facility.
• James Ruben Steele, w/m, 50 from Tool, indicted for Driving While
Intoxicated (repeat offender enhancement).
• Randy Lee Anderson, w/m, 42, from Gun Barrel City, indicted for
Possession of a Controlled Substance.
• David Elisha Bone Jr., w/m, 28, from Athens, indicted for Possession
of a Controlled Substance.
• Benjamin Clifford Millican III, also known as Duane Getty, w/m, 51,
from Wills Point, indicted for Theft Over $1,500.
• Jamark Antwone Steverson, b/m (black male), 22, from Dallas, indicted
for Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
• Tyrone Daniella Davis, b/m, 21, from Longview, indicted for Possession
of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver/Tampering with Physical
Evidence.
• Jacqueline Denise Pickens, b/f (black female), 43, from Athens,
indicted for Driving While Intoxicated.
• James Allen Lane, w/m, 42, from Gun Barrel City, indicted for Driving
While Intoxicated (repeat offender enhancement).
• San Juan Govea, w/m, 34, from Athens, indicted for Evading Arrest with
a Deadly Weapon.
• Daniel Austin Roerick, w/m, 17, from Athens, indicted for Burglary of
a Building (three indictments).
• David Michael Haynes, b/m, 18, from Athens, indicted for Burglary of a
Building (three indictments).
• Jamie Lawrence Meador, w/m, 22, from Brownsboro, indicted for Unlawful
Possession of a Firearm by a Felon; also indicted for Possession of a
Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
Searchers recover man’s
body
Monitor Staff Reports
PINNACLE CLUB–Thursday afternoon, searchers found the body of a Flower
Mound man believed drowned in Cedar Creek Lake June 16.
The body of Richard John Edmundson, 43, was discovered floating offshore
about 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Henderson County Sheriff’s Office public
relations officer Lt. Pat McWilliams reported.
“Judge (Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Dale) Blaylock is conducting the
inquest now,” McWilliams reported via cell phone from the lake patrol
boat.
Edmundson’s body was found just off Esquire Estates’ Rock-N-Roll Lane,
just east of the Pinnacle Club gated community – the area searchers had
been combing since he disappeared late Saturday afternoon, McWilliams
said.
Blaylock ordered Edmundson’s body to be transported to Dallas for an
autopsy.
Edmundson was among a large family group touring the lake on a pontoon
boat. The group stopped in a large open portion of the lake, about 300
yards off Esquire Estates, to let the children (who were wearing life
jackets) swim.
According to reports, the boat began drifting away, and Edmundson jumped
in to bring the children closer to the boat. He quickly became exhausted
in the 70-degree water and disappeared near 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
Earlier, McWilliams reported there was no alcohol at the scene and no “rowdyness.”
“From what we’ve been told, he was a fine Christian man,” McWilliams
said. “It’s just a tragic accident.”
East Cedar Creek awards bids
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Work will soon begin on two projects in the East Cedar
Creek Fresh Water Supply District.
Wednesday, directors awarded contracts to begin work on remediating
Prairie Creek Cove and add a third clarifier at the Brookshire Water
Treatment Plant.
Tera Renewal Service Company’s low bid of $489,000 was accepted for the
Prairie Creek Cove project.
Lamarc Inc. had a base bid of $599,476.20 for the clarifier project.
Costs for some additional small features increased the bid to
$609,409.20.
“It is nice to see that both projects have come in under the estimated
amount, thanks to Velvin and Weeks (engineers),” board president David
Burch said.
In other business, directors:
• heard Velvin and Weeks engineering reports for on-going projects.
Chris Weeks reviewed irrigation field management, explaining the
irrigation system planned for the hay fields.
Soil tests and mapping of the soil types are underway, he said.
The new raw water pump for the Brookshire plant is set to be delivered
sometime next week, he said.
Homeowners are beginning to install grinder pumps at Cedar Branch Park’
self-help program, he reported.
Other projects are experiencing weather-related delays, such as pipe
replacements in Thunderbird Shores, he said.
• heard the bulk water agreement with West Cedar Creek Municipal Utility
District to provide service to Waitman Island and Tom Finley Park is
ongoing.
“We’re still waiting for WCCMUD to figure out a cost-effective way to
get the line to the island,” general manager Bll Goheen said. They have
also been experiencing weather-related delays.
• heard lift station warning systems are being upgraded by the
manufacturers.
Area residents were formerly told if the red light was on, the station
was okay. Now, if the red light is on, it indicates something is not
right, so is in effect a warning light, Goheen explained.
“We’re also installing radio signals to alert the maintenance office if
something is not working,” Goheen said.
• approved the general manager’s attendance at the Water District
Conference Thursday and Friday, Aug. 30-31.
• agreed to a workshop to discuss a 25-cent increase in the wastewater
rate.
The current rate is $3 per 1,000 gallons of wastewater, to be increased
to $3.25 per 1,000 gallons.
It’s blueberry picking time
Monitor Staff Reports
NORTHEAST TX–Some of the benefits of living in the country is picking
and eating fresh fruits and vegetables.
With summer now here (started June 21) blueberry picking season is
coming into its own and continues through July and early August.
Some of the tastiest and biggest blueberries are to be had in Henderson
and Van Zandt counties.
Monitor photo/Pearl Cantrell
These kids from Seven Points (Leia-Jo, Malia and Jack Cantrell) didn’t
let rain prevent them from picking blueberries for Dad’s favorite
blueberry cobbler the weekend of Father’s Day.
Blueberry picking also makes a fine family outing. Berry
picking is free, blueberries run $8-10/bucket.
Some tips to make the most of your outing are:
• wear hats with a brim to keep the sun (or rain) off your neck.
• bring bottled water or a canteen.
• bring sunscreen and/or insect repellent.
• wear comfortable old clothes and shoes.
• bring your camera.
• bring sturdy containers to carry your berries home.
Most farms provide pails for collecting berries and then bag your
pickings in grocery sacks.
A cardboard box or plastic tub makes for easier transport of berries
from the car into the house.
Below is a list of farms in the area which offer pick- your-own berries
as well as pre-picked quantities.
This list comes from the website
pickyourown.org/Txnortheast.
The editor suggests calling the farm you’ve selected the day of your
excursion to check on weather conditions, and hours of operation.
Echo Springs Blueberry Farm - 7235 FM 607, Murchison, TX 75778.
Phone: (903) 852-5277. Fax: (903) 852-2829.
Blueberry Basket - Phone: 903-677-3448. Directions: Take U.S.
Highway 175 to LaRue, turn right on paved Farm to Market 2588 and go
three miles. Farm located on the right side of the road.
Sun-Tex Blueberries - 19780 CR 3404, Chandler, TX 75758. Phone:
(903) 849-5174. Take SH 31 to Chandler turn right on CR 315 and right
onto CR 317, and right onto CR 3408 and right onto to CR 3404. It’s the
fourth place on the left. Closed on Saturdays. It follow organic
methods.
Tyler Berry Farm - blackberries, blueberries, prepicked produce,
snacks and refreshment stand, restrooms, picnic area. 9628 CR 429,
Tyler, TX 75704. Phone: (903) 526.4440.
The Berry Bush - 12589 State Highway 64, Ben Wheeler, TX 75754.
Phone: (817) 833-1715. Located 11.3 miles east of Canton, on Highway 64.
Roadside Stand marked “Blueberries” Look for the American Flag! Open
seven days a week 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Blueberry Hill Farms - FM 314, Edom, TX. Phone: (903) 852-6175.
From Interstate Highway 20 at Van (Exit 540), go south on FM 314 for 12
miles through town of Edom, then quarter mile south of town.
Blueberry Ridge Farm - Located at 2785 East U.S. Hwy 80, Mineola,
TX 75773. Phone: (903) 569-1550. From the intersection of SH 69 and U.S.
80 in the heart of the Mineola business district, go five miles east ,
located on the north side of U.S. 80, directly across a Texas Hwy Picnic
area. Open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, 1 - 4 p.m.
Sundays. Always open July 4th. Certified organic for all crops! Offers a
bed and breakfast in addition to the country store and seasonal pick
your own berries. The Oldest Certified Organic Blueberry farm in Texas,
since 1994. |