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Woman dies in car rollover
By Pearl Cantrell
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–Gun Barrel City police are investigating the death of an Athens woman in a one-car rollover that occurred Sunday.
Nakita Lynn Baldwin, 41, was driving a red 2008 Chevrolet Aveo east on State Highway 334 about a mile short of the US 175 junction when her car went off the roadway, assistant chief Larry Warrick told The Monitor.
“There are no indications, no skid marks, nothing at the scene to explain it,” Warrick said.
The call came in at 11:44 a.m.
Baldwin was wearing her seatbelt, Warrick added. There were no passengers and no other car involved.
After the vehicle left the roadway, it clipped a tree on the southside of the road which sent the vehicle into the rollover. It rolled over four times before it came to rest, Warrick said.
Baldwin was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Jury sentences burglar to 13 years
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–A Henderson County jury sentenced Joseph William Teixeria, 31, of Payne Springs, to 13 years in the penitentiary, July 21.
Teixeria was accused of burglarizing a house in Payne Springs, removing and damaging numerous metal fixtures.
The burglary occurred March 6, 2010 and was initially discovered by the homeowner, who promptly called the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Capt. Bryan Tower, Lt. Kalon Rollins, deputy Kyle Pochobradsky and Josh Rickman investigated the case and were able to recover Teixeria’s fingerprints from inside the house.
Testimony at trial included the investigating officers, the victim and a fingerprint expert from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Austin, who verified the print.
The defendant’s prints were on file with DP, due to a prior conviction for burglary of a habitation.
After finding the defendant guilty, the jury deliberated on punishment considering the circumstances of this case, along with Teixeria’s lengthy history of theft and burglary.
According to first assistant district attorney Mark Hall, who tired the case, “The members of the jury devoted themselves to reaching the right result in this case, and the final outcome is fair and just.”
District attorney Scott McKee indicated he was pleased with the verdict and work of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office did a great job on this case. Their investigation and collection of evidence was textbook investigative work,” McKee said.
Assistant district attorney Lindsay Gode helped the prosecution.

Seven Points chief suspended or returned to duty?
Monitor Staff Reports
SEVEN POINTS–A difference of opinion –- or possibly some legal infraction – led to the suspension of Seven Points Police Chief Curt Koger July 20.
And the next day he was told to report to work.
The reason behind the action is unclear as no one in city hall responded to The Monitor’s attempt to obtain a clarification.
So far, what is known is Koger was suspended July 20, following a disagreement between the chief and Mayor John Dobbs.
Information concerning the disagreement reported in the Athens Daily Review Friday, said the problem stemmed from a report filed by Koger concerning suspended Seven Points Police lieutenant Mike Tayem.
Koger investigated a citizens complaint, filed against Tayem stating he rode a non-police motorcycle with lights and siren attached.
According to the Review, Dobbs called on Tayem to assist in fighting a fire, however. He is not a member of the fire department.
The complaint said the lights and siren were installed on Tayem’s personal motorcycle.
Tayem wanted to see the report.
Shortly after Tayem read the document, Dobbs called Koger and placed him on suspension.
Tayem has been the subject of an investigation by outside law enforcement agencies and is currently suspended, indefinitely.
It was reported in the Athens Review that Koger was reinstated and told to report to work at 8 a.m. Thursday.
Calls were made to the city with requests for Koger and/or Dobbs to call The Monitor to confirm the information, as was a call to Blake Armstrong, attorney for the city.
A message from Dobbs was delivered via city staff.
“No comment as it is an ongoing investigation at this time,” he said.
As of presstime, nothing was heard from Koger or Armstrong.
The Review went on to describe a set of events once Koger arrived.
• A message on the door said – Do not Enter Per Any Reason – Mayor.
• No one met Koger though he waited all Thursday morning.
• He had no keys to his office, no badge and no access to his department.
• Koger was told to return to work, but there was no explanation as to how.
An e-mail from Koger’s attorney, Rob Ghio of Arlington, explained he had spoken with Armstrong, July 21.
In the e-mail Ghio states that he represents chief Curt Koger.
He said the chief was suspended after Dobbs demanded his resignation, which Koger refused to do.
“He has done nothing to justify the suspension, adding the reasons given for the suspension were false,” Ghio’s e-mail stated.
“The vendetta is the result of Koger providing truthful testimony to a federal grand jury in connection with the conduct of Tayem, with whom Dobbs is in a romantic relationship,” Ghio said.
In his e-mail Ghio adds,, “The mayor has insisted the lights were installed and used with his permission in connection with the emergency call to the fire department.”
Koger was hired following the second retirement of police chief Jack Nelson, who was hired after the firing of Brad McConahay.
The question still remains whether Koger has been reinstated, or not.