e d i u G l Brida
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Former EC Baseball Coach Inducted Into Hall Of Fame Page 1-B
ual 33rd Ann
Bridal Guide Inside
ION 6 L SECT SPECIAJanuary 30, 201 y,
Saturda
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Copyright ® 2016
Volume 131 Number 93 • Saturday, January 30, 2016
36 Pages, 2 Inserts
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HURST KILLER EXECUTED Freeman dies without making final statement “No, I do not,” Freeman replied as he lay strapped to a table in the institutionally green, barred death HUNTSVILLE – Sixteen min- chamber. utes after refusing to make a fiThat same moment, a fatal dose nal statement, an El Campo game of phenobarbital began to flow. warden’s killer was Two sets of witpronounced dead in nesses watched his the state’s execution final moments as chambers Wedneswarden stood For us ... we felt we the day night. stoically at his head had closure after the and a priest clutched James Garrett Freeman of Lissie left ankle. trial. This was part of hisFreeman was 27 years old said when convicted of the process – a very nothing more and, the shooting death aside from a brief difficult part, of El Campo Game turning of the head Warden Justin the start of the – Amanda Hurst at process, made no Photo Courtesy Texas Department Of Criminal Justice Hurst on March 17, Execution Chamber 2007 following a attempts at eye conlengthy vehicle chase. tact. Strapped to this bed Wednesday night, James Garrett Freeman of Lissie was executed in Huntsville for the 2007 murder of Wednesday night he was 35 when He simply lay there as motorcycle El Campo Game Warden Justin Hurst. Freeman, convicted of the crime in 2008, spent from November of that year until last the Walls unit warden in Huntsville engines from the pro-law enforceweek on death row. asked if he wished to say any final (See GAME WARDENS, Page 5-A) words at 6:14 p.m. By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
“
”
2015 Citizen Of The Year
Monday last day for vote registration Primary field includes sheriff, Pct. 3 chief By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
Today’s Spotlight
If you want to help decide who Wharton County’s sheriff will be or the Precinct 3 commissioner, you must be registered to vote by Monday. That same upcoming Primary ballot, by the way, includes presidential nominations along with federal and state representatives as well as a bevy of other offices. But you can’t vote if you aren’t registered. Currently, about 27,000 Whar-
Mitch Albom, best-selling author, journalist and broadcaster will make a rare Houston appearance to speak at the Houston Hospice 15th Annual Butterfly Luncheon on Tuesday, March 29.
– See Page 3-B ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT......................................Page 4-A OBITUARIES.....................................Page 7-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE.........................................Page 3-B CHURCH LISTINGS..........................Page 4-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE........Page 6-B
LOCAL WEATHER Saturday
Mostly Sunny & Breezy DAY: 0% HIGH: 75º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 57º
Sunday
Sunny DAY: 0% NIGHT: 0%
HIGH: 78º LOW: 58º
Monday
Slight Chance of Showers DAY: 20% HIGH: 77º NIGHT: 30% LOW: 56º
Tuesday Sunny DAY: 0% NIGHT: 0%
HIGH: 66º LOW: 37º
Last Week: Avg. High: 63º • Avg. Low: 37º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 0.17 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 1.62 In. Same Time In '15...................... 2.72 In.
Year To Date........................... 1.56 In. Year To Date '15....................... 2.71 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 104 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
(See GOP FORUM, Page 7-A) L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Congratulations Offered
John Hancock makes his way to the El Campo Civic Center stage Thursday night as members of the crowd applaud and offer congratulations. Hancock was selected as the 2015 Citizen of the Year by a past Citizen committee.
Giving earns Hancock Citizen honor BY JAY T. STRASNER publisher@leader-news.com
A lifetime of benevolence and love for this community are among the many traits that led to John Hancock being selected as El Campo’s 2015 Citizen of the Year. The announcement was made during the El Campo Chamber of Commerce gala Thursday night at the EC Civic Center. “I’m surprised and honored by this,” Hancock said. “El Campo holds a special place in my heart and it always will. I’m thankful to those who nominated me and pleased to be given this honor.” Those nominating Hancock for Citizen of the Year categorized him as a leader who’s achieved many ac-
complishments and positively affected lives throughout Wharton County. His work with St. Philip Catholic Church, El Campo Memorial Hospital and even one-on-one counseling with substance abuse victims are among his many interests. Hancock has served as president of the National Rice Millers Association, is co-chairman of First State Bank of Louise and was an original board member of ECMH and the local Ducks Unlimited chapter, as well as a former school board member. In his acceptance speech, Hancock urged the crowd to help support upcoming improvements to ECMH, most notably a planned renovation of the emergency (See BUSINESSMAN, Page 6-A)
Expect U.S. 59 lane closures in coming days Northbound motorists coming from Louise and Hillje won’t be able to take the first El Campo exit off U.S. 59 for a couple of days next week. A southbound lane of U.S. 59 just south of the Colorado River will also be temporarily closed. Planned concrete repairs will cause the shutdowns, according to Cari Hensley, highway department spokesperson. Each, she said, “will be closed for up to 36 hours.” Both repairs are scheduled for early this coming week, but an exact schedule is unavailable. The South El Campo closure is a safety measure for crews working on far East Jackson Street, aka Business 59, near the exit.
Eagle’s nest stymies CR 408 bridge repair effort By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
A nearby eagle’s nest will delay construction of a new CR 408 bridge keeping it closed for another seven to eight months. “That’s what we’re looking at. We’ve got to go by the federal laws,” Precinct 4 Commissioner Doug Mathews said. “It’s just a shame. I know it’s an inconvenience and frustrating for the residents out there, but our hands are tied.”
Mathews had a conference call with the Fish & Wildlife Service Wednesday to follow up on an eagle’s nest in the area. “They have been monitoring the nest and there are eggs in the nest,” Mathews said. “We can apply for an eagle-disturbance permit and, if it’s granted, it has about the same time line as the eagle’s hatching the eggs that are there.” Processing the application and the eaglets being hatched fall somewhere between three to four months, the commissioner said
“I’m going to go ahead and file for the permit in the meantime,” Mathews said, adding bridge construction would proceed with whichever occurs first. Wakefield Bridge, Inc. of Wharton, the lone bidder, was awarded the $195,000 project to construct a new concrete bridge to replace the old, wooden structure over the Tres Palacios River. Construction is projected to take 122 days, ac(See MOTORISTS, Page 3-A)
El Campo Leader-News • Saturday, January 30, 2016
Law & Order - Freeman Execution
Cattle Market Update
—Game wardens gather, offer support to Hurst family
Widow’s thoughts Although on the prison grounds, neither Hurst’s widow nor his parents chose to witness Freeman’s final moments. “I didn’t need that,” widow Amanda Hurst told the Leader-News Thursday. “We all agreed that we didn’t need that for any kind of closure.” Instead, Game Warden Scott Blackburn, Texas Ranger David Maxwell and Wharton County District Attorney Ross Kurtz stood in the victim’s side of the witness area among others as Freeman drew his last breaths. “For us – me, Pat and Allen (Hurst’s parents) – we felt we had closure after the trial,” Hurst said. “This was part of the process – a very difficult part.” Kyle Hurst, the game warden’s son who was just an infant when his father was killed, is now nine years old. “This (the execution) came much quicker than I expected,” Amanda Hurst said, adding the event prompted attempts to explain the process to the young boy. “It’s hard for him to comprehend.” The child was not in Huntsville Wednesday night. Outside The Walls Roughly an hour before the scheduled execution, about 100 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game wardens gathered on the front walk of the Walls Unit joined by members of the Wharton County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Jess Howell was among the group as was Deputy Roddy Rodriguez, the law enforcer whose shots were credited with hitting Freeman and ending the gun battle that deadly night. Freeman’s punishment, the sheriff said, was a just one. “He literally killed Justin Hurst, and he was trying to kill everyone else there,” Howell said. The law enforcers stepped up to the curb as the vehicle bearing the Hurst family arrived, offering a salute. But, the sheriff said, there are more victims in the case. “The Freeman family are victims too. They are a wonderful family actually,” he said. “I think it’s important to know. In this case, it’s a double tragedy in my mind.” They were present on the
chilly night and were there during the last moments of their son’s life. Last Three Days Texas prisoners condemned to die spend their last three
Current Wharton County DA Kurtz shared a few thoughts as well. “This is the legal closure,” he said. “But obviously for the family there is no closure.” The Hurst and Freeman
testified during the trial that intent was there. “It seems to me he was trying to kill somebody,” Deputy Sgt. Marc Tijerina testified. Freeman fired more than 30 rounds at law enforcers
But for the Hurst family, coping continues. Amanda Hurst is preparing to re-marry, eight years after the murder. Her son continues to grow. And through it all, she said, there’s still the game wardens by the dozens. “They’ve been with us from day one. They make me proud. They make my heart swell,” Hurst said. For Kyle, they are an instant support network – one that is starting to take him hunting and fishing a few times each year. “I can’t thank this community enough, everyone for their prayers, kind words,” Amanda Hurst said. “The entire time, it’s been constant. I can never thank everyone enough.”
El Campo Livestock Co. Sale Date
January 26, 2016
No. of Receipts: 720 This Week
Medium/Large Steers Under 300 lbs ..... $197-360 300-400 lbs ......... $195-238 400-500 lbs ......... $179-225 Over 500 lbs ....... $149-190 Medium/Large Heifers Under 300 lbs ..... $182-300 300-400 lbs ......... $173-200 400-500 lbs ......... $158-205 Over 500 lbs ....... $142-200 Packer Cows ...... $40-83 Packer Bulls ...... $80-95 Cows/Heifers... $----------Cow/Calf Pair... $----------Bred.................. $-----------
Last Sale
203-325 201-225 $ 183-222 $ 142-190 $ $
172-300 157-197 $ 149-200 $ 135-182 $ 40-78 $ 80-92 $ ----------$ ----------$ 1200-1280 $ $
L-N Photo by Shannon Crabtree
Family Moment
Standing outside the Walls Unit Wednesday night El Campo Game Warden Justin Hurst’s widow Amanda (left) along with his parents Pat and Allen Hurst (center) during a post-execution press conference. Hurst’s brother served as the family spokesman, with the others remaining silent. days on a death watch, monitored by the state. For Freeman, each day he spent time visiting with family and other visitors. Texas doesn’t grant a “last meal” request to the condemned, they are simply offered whatever is on the prison menu that day. Wednesday it was pepper steak with brown gravy, steamed rice, an assortment of vegetables and a chocolate cake. It was not recorded whether he chose to eat. Aftermath A brief press conference was held outside the prison shortly after the execution. Amanda, Pat and Allen Hurst joined the crowd of game wardens gathered around the podium, but made no statement. Only Hurst’s brother Greg stepped up to the microphone. He thanked the wardens for their support. “I can never really repay that,” he said.
families were kept separated throughout the night, a standard practice. Had they met, Amanda Hurst said, “I would have hugged his mom.” Questions Unanswered With Freeman’s death, the last chance of finding out why he ran, why he led authorities on the almost two-hour high-speed chase and why it ended in a hail of bullets that claimed the game warden’s life dies too. His defense claimed: he was attempting suicide by cop, he was intoxicated, unemployed and hopeless. Freeman had initially been in violation of a poaching law, shooting a bird from a fence. Had he stopped right then, he would have faced a Class C misdemeanor and a probation violation. Instead, the night ended with a capital murder charge. Law enforcers involved in the minute-long gun battle in front of the Lissie Cemetery
that night from either a .357 Glock or an AK-47 as the men dove for cover. “I thought I was the only one alive, and I thought I would be killed,” Deputy Chris French told the court during the prosecution phase. Freeman never took the stand on his own behalf. What Now? With Thursday’s execution, Freeman has legally paid his due and the case is over.
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(Continued from Page 1-A) ment group outside roared and, after a few moments, appeared to stop breathing. Freeman was officially pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m, the second Texas prisoner to be executed this year.
Page 5-A
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Sweet sauce spells success at 100 Club event Game Warden team adjusts recipe, claims crown for 2016 event By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Hundreds gathered to feast on Italian cuisine in Crescent Monday evening at the annual 100 Club Law Enforcement Spaghetti Cook-off and Fundraiser. “This was our 10th year SIGHTS of doing the cook-off and AND we continue to SMELLS: show local law enforcement Please see our communimore photos ties’ support from for our local Spaghetti law enforceCook-off ment agencies,” Wharton –Page 5-A County Office of Emergency Management Coordinator and event organizer Andy Kirkland L-N Photo by Jay T. Strasner said. “Regardless of national negative publicity for law enforcement, Expert Advice we support and greatly appreciate Judge Phillip Spenrath, right, gets a little assistance from his son, Rhenner, during the judging portion of the 100 Club Spathe dedication and hard work our ghetti Cook-off. The event was held Monday evening at the fairgrounds in Crescent. women and men of law enforcement
Inside:
ADA cites pressure to keep blacks from jury
do for us in Wharton County.” This year’s cook-off was held on a Monday for the first time in an attempt to avoid conflicts with other events. Although the event went well, attendance was down a bit, Kirkland said. “I think doing this on a Monday after spring break on Holy Week contributed to lower turnout,” the organizer said. Eight teams put their culinary skills on the line, cooking up the best spaghetti sauce they could concoct. Five judges were on-hand to sample and rate the sauces for taste, presentation, aroma and texture. In the end, the team representing the Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens walked away with first place and the coveted traveling plaque. “I’m very excited,” Wharton County Game Warden Scott Blackburn told the Leader-News Tuesday. “Last year, we got second and (this year) decided to change the recipe and do something a little more complex.” (See SAUCE, Page 5-A)
Hoppin’ Down The Bunny Trail
By JAY T. STRASNER publisher@leader-news.com
LARGE METH BUST A routine felony warrant arrest Thursday uncovered an ounce of methamphetamine and sent three individuals to jail. “That’s quite a bit,” Lt. Russel Urban said.
– SEE PAGE 2-A ALSO INSIDE: VIEWPOINT .....................................Page 4-A SPORTS.............................................Page 1-B LIFESTYLE ........................................Page 3-B CROSSWORD ..................................Page 6-B CLASSIFIEDS & REAL ESTATE.......Page 7-B
LOCAL WEATHER WEDNESDAY
Partly Sunny & Breezy DAY: 0% HIGH: 79º NIGHT: 60% LOW: 56º
THURSDAY
Slight Chance of T-Storms DAY: 20% HIGH: 68º NIGHT: 0% LOW: 44º
FRIDAY Sunny DAY: NIGHT:
0% HIGH: 72º 0% LOW: 54º
SATURDAY
Partly Sunny DAY: 0% HIGH: 78º NIGHT: 20% LOW: 64º LAST WEEK: AVG. HIGH: 74º • AVG. LOW: 56º
RAIN GAUGE
Last 7 Days............................. 0.02 In.
Last 30 Days........................... 3.31 In. Same Time In '15 ..................... 5.24 In.
Year To Date .......................... 5.09 In. Year To Date '15 ...................... 8.57 In. Data Collected by LCRA at El Campo Memorial Hospital
BURN BAN LIFTED COUNTY’S MEAN KBDI: 120 Burn Ban is put into effect when the mean KBDI reaches or goes above 500.
Sentencing in the case of a woman convicted of assaulting police officers has been delayed after claims that Wharton County District Attorney Ross Kurtz pressured prosecutors to keep black citizens off of her jury. Convicted last week of attacking two police officers, Chrissandra Lavell Ware, 38, of Hungerford, was expected to face a five- to 99-year sentence Friday during the punishment phase of her trial. A 329th District Court jury found Ware guilty of kicking and punching a male and female sheriff’s deputy as they tried to place her in the back of (See MAY 10, Page 7-A)
Biz garbage cans must be hidden By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com
A municipal beautification effort approved last session will require all new businesses to keep their supersized garbage cans out of sight. And, talk is already under way to require all dumpsters in the city limits to be placed behind decorative screening. That possibility is expected to return to Council during its upcoming session. The restrictions, City Manager Mindi Snyder said, “are highly encouraged by the Scenic City Certification Program,” a designation El Campo is trying to achieve. The estimated cost of trash bin screening, City Community Services Director Chris Barbee told Council, is between $2,500 and $3,500. For now, the requirement is only for new construction sites, a condition which Councilwoman Gloria Harris questioned. “I have a problem with some (See SCREENS, Page 8-A)
Cooper Labay, 5, smiles for the camera while getting a warm embrace from the Easter Bunny. Labay and his new friend were enjoying the festivities during the Beta Theta Omega 13th annual Easter Eggstravagaza held Saturday at the former United Ag general store. Proceeds from the event will benefit local charities and scholarships. L-N Photo by Jody Larimer
County adjusts constable pay requirements By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Wharton County Constable reserve deputies are no longer required to work 7.5 hours before being paid, commissioners approved last Monday. Several issues led to the action, one being deputies not receiving pay for work they completed in fewer than the required hours. “It was a legal issue and I wanted to clean that up,” Precinct 2 Constable John Szymanski told the LeaderNews Wednesday. Szymanski started the county’s reserve deputy pro-
gram in the early 90s to add more police presence in East Bernard. At the time, reserve deputies volunteered their time in exchange for the county maintaining their Texas Commission on Law Enforcement status – a requirement to be commissionable. After discussing the program with other agencies at conferences, Szymanski learned that several of them paid reserve deputies. Wharton County commissioners in 1999 approved pay (See COMMISSIONERS, Page 6-A)
El Campo Leader-News • Wednesday, March 23, 2016
TOP STORIES Louise chamber event set for March 31 By JODY LARIMER reporter@leader-news.com
Honoring both a Citizen and Educator of the Year will take place next week at the Louise-Hillje Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Celebrating its 57th year, the event will be Thursday, March 31 at the St. Andrew Parish Hall in Hillje beginning with a social hour and bucket raffle at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and entertainment at 7 p.m. As it is an election year, the Chamber selected a patriotic theme, according to organizer Shelly Fritz. Highlighting the evening will be the naming of both Citizen and Educator of the Year, traditions which started in 1961 and 1968, respectively. “As we do each year, we will announce ... both at the beginning of the banquet,” Fritz said. Recipients are not told they have been selected before the announcement, typically generating surprised expressions and oftentimes a few tears. Citizen of the Year is typically given to recognize one who has given much of their time toward public service to the community. The Educator of the Year award is intended to commend a Louise ISD teacher who has made a positive impact on students. Last year’s Citizen of the Year was Jessie Mae Gonzales, recognized for her contributions through the LISD Booster Club, assisting with the beautification committee and working at the Louise Library for more than 30 years. Educator of the Year went to Amy McCown, who has taught kindergarteners at the district more than 20 years.
a patrol car during the summer of 2014. The punishment phase has now been re-scheduled for May 10 and Patrick McCann has been appointed as defense co-counsel. Kurtz said he has never pressured anyone to keep members of certain races off of juries. “My instructions and guidance has always been and will always be that prosecutors should not take r a c e into account in exercising the choices allowed by law o n KURTZ which potential jurors to strike,” he said. Questions on the make-up of the jury arose after Assistant DA Nathan Wood said he was “pressured” by Kurtz to keep black citizens off the jury during the selection process. “I felt like I was advised or encouraged to do so as a matter of trial strategy,” Wood told a court official. “Whatever the true intentions behind the statements made in our office, they made me feel uncomfortable and I shared that discomfort with a friend.”
Way to go, Aggies! What a comeback! ___________
Happy Birthday Shirley D, Paul T, Donnie R, Fred P, Vivian W, Jane P, Jeannette M, Billie T, Mike C, Phillip M, Heather M, Holden W, Debbie B, Lisa B, Gary G, Wendy J, and Ben P.
-’till next week, Mike
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L-N File Photo
2015 Award Winners
The Louise-Hillje Chamber of Commerce is making preparations for its upcoming awards banquet to be held next Thursday, March 31. Pictured from last year’s banquet are l-r: Educator of the Year Amy McCown, Carol Wootton, field representative for 27th District Congressman Blake Farenthold and Citizen of the Year Jessie Mae Gonzales. Mike Henderson, in the back, will once again serve as master of ceremonies. Mike Henderson will once again serve as master of ceremonies. “He is no stranger to this area,” Fritz said. “Not only was he raised in Louise, he is the director of and sings with the Coastalaires, a barber-shop group from Bay City.” Entertainment will follow the dinner. “This year we will not be having a speaker coming in,” Fritz said. “We will just offer musical entertainment and
Wood said the “sharing of my thoughts” about the jury was intended to remain private, but added that “a fair trial for Chrissandra Ware is more important than my own privacy concerns.” Judge Randy Clapp declined comment. The final jury in Ware’s trial contained no members of the black race, with three potential black jurors being stricken from the initial panel. “My understanding from the prosecutors in my office who represented the State in the trial is that there were 11 female jurors and one male juror on the jury, and that some of those jurors were likely of Hispanic ethnicity or heritage and others likely of Caucasian ethnicity or heritage,” Kurtz said. In regards to his opinion of the assistant DA, Kurtz took the high road and would not comment on how the matter might affect Wood’s employment. “Mr. Wood has been and is a valued part of the Wharton County District Attorney’s Office,” Kurtz said. “His statement only shows how thoughtful and conscientious a prosecutor and public servant he is.” During the trial, prosecutors said the assault by Ware happened just moments after Ware had been found hiding inside a makeshift closet armed with a hammer and a
12th Annual
MEMO from MIKE
Happy Easter!
good food, friends, fellowship and as always, clean county air to share.” Tickets for $15 are available at the First State Bank in Louise or you can get them at the door. Sponsorship tables are also available for $350. For more information on the banquet, tickets or sponsorship tables, contact Fritz at 541-7056. “Hope to see you at the banquet,” Fritz said.
—May 10 new date for punishment hearing in case (Continued from Page 1-A)
Page 7-A
knife. Her defense attorney, Mark Racer, argued Ware recognized that law enforcers were in front of her and was attempting to put the weapons down, but was unable to do so before being tased. The jury deliberated about one hour before finding Ware guilty of aggravated assault public servant with a deadly weapon, assault public servant and resisting arrest after a three-day trial. Ware has no prior criminal history. In terms of the potential of
an appeal, Kurtz said the issues of jury selection in Ware’s trial relate to this one case. “The case against Ms. Ware is pending before the Court, and out of respect for all persons involved we will not comment on those issues outside of Court proceedings,” he said. Wood did say that he felt as though Ware “received a fair trial on guilt, and that included jury selection. “We have no doubt that she will also receive a fair trial on punishment when the time comes.”
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