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Ele Re-
Dr. Brad Buckley Our State Representative
Early Voting- October 13-30
Election Day- November 3
Pol. Ad. Pd. by the Dr. Brad Buckley Campaign
Lampasas Dispatch Record TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020
VOL. 115, NO. 88 ONE SECTION
Man sentenced to eight years after pleading guilty to murder BY MADELEINE MILLER DISPATCH RECORD
On Friday, 27th Judicial District Court Judge John Gauntt found Kashawn Anton-James Ratliff of Copperas Cove guilty of murder for Ratliff’s role in the Sept. 16, 2019 shooting death of Kempner resident Vance Henry Helzer. Gauntt sentenced Ratliff to eight years in prison. Ratliff pleaded guilty July 30 to murder and said he did not negotiate a plea bargain with District Attorney John Greenwood. An arrest affidavit alleged that Ratliff drove Javier Kristian Gutierrez, Matthew Isaiah Lawson and Markevious Rayshun Myers from Copperas Cove to Helzer’s parents’ house in Kempner. From the vehicle, Gutierrez shot Helzer, according to an affidavit and a voluntary statement Gutierrez gave to investigators. Under Texas law, “each party to an offense may be charged with commission of the offense.” Ratliff’s mother – who SEE DEFENSE, PAGE 10
FILE PHOTO | DISPATCH RECORD
Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Joe Williams, left, and Detention Sgt. John Reza lead Kashawn Anton-James Ratliff into the Lampasas County Courthouse on July 30, when Ratliff pleaded guilty to a murder charge connected to the shooting death of Kempner resident Vance Henry Helzer. An arrest affidavit said Ratliff drove three other men to Helzer’s residence. There, one of the vehicle occupants -- Javier Kristian Gutierrez -- shot Helzer, according to an affidavit and a voluntary statement Gutierrez gave to investigators.
BY JEFF LOWE DISPATCH RECORD
SEE FIRE, PAGE 3
WEATHER Date Oct. 29 Oct. 30 Oct. 31 Nov. 1
High 59 66 74 72
Polls set to close Tuesday at 7 p.m. ‘Most consequential election’will have effects ‘in ways that we can’t imagine,’ county political party leaders say Voting in the presidential election – as well as myriad races for offices ranging from congressional seats to City Council or school board seats in Lampasas County – will conclude Tuesday. Polls in Lampasas County are scheduled to close Tuesday at 7 p.m. Early voting ended Friday. Party leaders on both sides describe this as an extremely high-stakes election. “This election will affect our country, state and county in ways that we can’t imagine if we have representation that doesn’t care about us as conservative Texans,” Lampasas County Republican Party Chair Wendy Daugherty said. “A lot of people think it’s the most significant election of their lifetime,” Lampasas County Democrat Party Chair Cyndy Burleson said. “It’s the most consequential elec-
DAVID LOWE | DISPATCH RECORD
Lampasas Fire Department firefighters, from left, Tyler Gillis, Capt. Joe Adams, Volunteer Capt. Frank W. Dill (climbing ladder), Capt. Corey Greiner and firefighter Morris Wilkins work at a house fire on Friday.
The city of Lampasas will begin its free curbside brush collection on Monday. The program is scheduled to run through the first week of December. Following are the pick-up dates, areas and rules. • Nov. 2-6: Brush will be collected in the northwest section of the city (west of Key Avenue and north of First Street). • Nov. 9-13: Collection moves to the southwest part of town (west of Key Avenue and south of First Street). • Nov. 16-20: Brush-chipper trucks will collect curbside brush from the southeast area of town (east of Key and south of First Street). • Nov. 23-25: Brush in the northeast section (east of Key and north of First Street) will be collected. • Nov. 26-27: No brush pick-up is scheduled, as the city will be closed for Thanksgiving. • Nov. 30-Dec. 4: Collection will
Total rainfall for 2020:
38.22 in.
Data from the Lower Colorado River Authority (site 11 miles west-northwest of Lampasas, near Nix).
SEE POLITICAL, PAGE 10
continue in the northeast part of the city; brush-chipping trucks will finish all sections of town. City-sponsored brush chipping will occur only during the designated weeks and in designated areas. The city uses the following guidelines for the brush pick-up program. • Brush should be no longer than 4 feet. • Crews will not pick up lumber or trash as part of brush chipping. • Bundles of brush must be out by the curb, as no alley pick-up is available. In addition to the free curbside brush collection, there will be no charge in November for brush drop-off at the Citizen Collection Station, located at 201 Brown St. The collection station is open Wednesdays through Fridays – except for the Thanksgiving week closures noted above – from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The station also is open on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATION
BRIEFLY Low Rain 41 0 38 0 45 0 49 0
tion of my lifetime.” On election day, Lampasas County voters – regardless of their residential address – may cast a ballot at any one of the following sites. • New Covenant Church, 1604 Central Texas Expressway in Lampasas. • Kempner Volunteer Fire Department training center, 315 S. Pecan St. in Kempner. • Clear Creek Baptist Church, 3350 FM 2657 in Kempner. • Lometa Volunteer Fire Department station, 107 E. San Saba St. in Lometa. • Adamsville Community Center, 174 County Road 3750. Voter identification is required, although state law provides for exemptions and/or provisional voting in certain
City’s free curbside brush pick-up service will extend to early December
No injuries in Willis Street fire; investigator says damage is repairable The Lampasas Fire Department was preparing for a fire safety demonstration at Hanna Springs Elementary School when an actual house fire was reported Friday morning at 1403 S. Willis St. The timing enabled a large response of firefighters who already had gathered at the fire station. The department was dispatched at 7:58 a.m. Six vehicles and about 15 personnel responded, and the first LFD unit arrived on the scene at 8:02 a.m. Acadian Ambulance Service, the Lampasas Police Department and the city of Lampasas utility department also responded. Fire Marshal Ronnie Withers said
75 CENTS
FLAG PLACEMENT; VETERANS DAY
The public is invited to join local Scouts and veterans at Oak Hill Cemetery on Saturday at 8 a.m. to place American flags on the graves of military veterans. Participants will be in small groups to comply with COVID-19 precautions. In addition, a Veterans Day ceremony is planned Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. on the courthouse square. Details about the program will be
finalized soon. Lampasas Middle School has decided not to hold its annual Veterans Day program and breakfast for veterans this year. School officials said although they appreciate the sacrifices veterans have endured to secure our freedom, the COVID-19 restrictions this year have made it difficult to host visitors on the campus. LMS looks forward to expressing its appreciation to veterans at an
event next year.
HUNTER’S EVENT IN ADAMSVILLE
The Adamsville Volunteer Fire Department’s 53rd Annual Deer Hunter’s Bar-B-Que is scheduled Saturday from 5-9 p.m. at the Adamsville Community Center, located at 174 County Road 3750. The event will include a barbecue meal -- $10 for adults, and $5 for children younger than 8 -- a rifle raffle and a live auction. Tickets will be available at the door.
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LAMPASAS DISPATCH RECORD
DEATHS
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cases. For more details about documentation requirements, see https:// www.sos.state.tx.us/ elections/forms/polsub/13-1f.pdf. Lampasas County had 8,539 people cast ballots during early voting, according to data shown
Laurie Ann Grasso, 68, died Oct. 31, 2020, at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Temple. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 4, at Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas. Graveside services will follow at 3 p.m. at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Laurie was born on Aug. 6, 1952 in Haverhill, Massachusetts to Leo Melanson and Rita (Natalino) Melanson. She grew up in Haverhill and graduated from Haverhill High School in 1970. Laurie married Leonard Grasso at West Point, New York in 1975, and they were married for 45 years. She supported her husband throughout his 30-year career in the U.S. Army. Laurie was a Braillist for Copperas Cove ISD. She enjoyed scrapbooking, baking, Camp Nana, gardening, quilting, weaving and RV camping. She is survived by her husband, Leonard, of Lampasas; sons Christopher Grasso of Copperas Cove and Michael Grasso of Lampasas; and grandchildren Alexis Grasso, Megan Grasso, Bella Grasso, Gia Grasso and Luca Grasso.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2020
Political party leaders excited about high voter turnout FROM PAGE 1
Mrs. Grasso
on the Texas Secretary of State website. That number includes in-person voters and those who cast ballots by mail. The total number who cast ballots through Friday represented 53% of the county’s registered voters. Daugherty and Burleson both were glad to see high voter turnout. “The more relaxed,
less stressful early voting turnout has been amazing,” Daugherty said. “I believe that people understand that voter turnout is the key to victory, so they are making sure they are heard by casting their ballots.” “I think people have had enough,” Burleson said. “I think they’re frustrated.
I think they’re very concerned about a lot of issues. … I think [turnout] is higher than what I expected.” A sample ballot appeared on page 4 of the Lampasas Dispatch Record’s Oct. 9 edition and is available at www. lampasasdispatchrecord. com on the home page.
Some elected positions will be voted on only by residents in specific precincts, so not all candidates at the local level will appear on every ballot. For election results from selected races, check www. lampasasdispatchrecord. com and the Lampasas Dispatch Record page on Facebook on Tuesday night.
Defense attorney, prosecutor comment on sentencing in murder case FROM PAGE 1
requested not to be named – testified during his plea hearing, saying he was raised well but “just got caught up with the wrong people.” Gauntt ordered a psychological evaluation of Ratliff before the sentencing hearing. The judge confirmed Oct. 30 that he had reviewed Ratliff’s presentence investigation, support letters and psychological evaluation. Paul Harrell, Ratliff’s Gatesville-based defense attorney, said Ratliff had a “tough go as a youngster” and contends with mentalhealth issues and substance abuse. Harrell said Ratliff has made poor choices but takes responsibility for
them and has cooperated with law-enforcement officers. “I have known Mr. Ratliff for some time and can speak to his strong character traits,” the attorney said. “He is articulate and reasoned, has a chance to contribute to society and has an amazing support system.” Harrell pointed out that Ratliff was not the shooter, and he recommended the judge grant the defendant the minimum sentence of five years. “Any more than the minimum, and he may come out a more hardened person,” Harrell said. “I want him to maintain his glimmer of youth. With a five-year sentence, he can be out before his 30th birthday and meet his potential.” Greenwood recommend-
ed Gauntt give Ratliff a 20-year sentence, the same sentence the judge gave Gutierrez. Ratliff did not pull the trigger, but his role was “absolutely essential to cause the death of Mr. Helzer,” Greenwood said. He pointed out that Ratliff has a more extensive criminal history than Gutierrez. “The bottom line is, this is tragic for the Ratliff family and for the Helzer family, but if you look at his overall behavior, he is a danger,” Greenwood said. “Twenty years would be an appropriate sentence to protect the citizens of Texas going forward.” Gauntt pronounced Ratliff guilty of murder and of deadly conduct, and said he would give Ratliff credit toward his eight-year sentence for the time he has served so far.
Reward offered for information about arson cases Hill Country Area Crime Stoppers, Lampasas County Sheriff’s Office, Burnet Police Department and Burnet County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help. Officials are seeking information on numerous cases of arson involving homes, vehicles, churches and businesses that occurred this year from May 5 to Oct. 22. Anyone with information may contact Chief Sid Fuller of the Burnet Police
Department at 512-756-6404. Or to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward up to $2,000, those with information may call Crime Stoppers at 866-756-8477. Information also may be reported online at www.hillcountryareacrimestoppers. com. The city of Burnet is offering an additional reward of $10,000.
Ratliff will be eligible for parole after serving five years. Harrell said Gauntt took into account every aspect of Ratliff’s case that the defense attorney had hoped
he would consider. Greenwood said he believes Ratliff’s sentence was “less than the circumstances warranted.” “But ultimately, it’s the judge’s call,” he said.