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Every time his team seems down and out, James Boxley rallies his troops. Now he has them two wins away from state…Page 5
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75 cen t s
WHY NO INDICTMENT?
DA gives update on case against Eddie Routh BY SARA VANDEN BERGE sara.vandenberge@empiretribune.com
District Attorney Alan Nash has been flooded with questions from media and private citizens wondering why the man accused of shooting and killing Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield has still not been indicted by a grand jury. Routh is being held on a $3 million bond at Erath County Jail charged with capital murder. He was arrested Feb. 2 after allegedly gunning down the men at a gun range at Rough Creek Lodge where Kyle had taken him to target practice. The outing was reportedly meant to help Routh, who had been under the care of a veteran’s hospital, deal with symptoms of
field and Chris Kyle, law enforcement, including the Erath County Sheriff ’s Office, the Texas Rangers and the Stephenville and Lancaster Police Departments, moved swiftly to identify and apprehend the suspect to prevent further violence,” Nash said in a statement released by his office Wednesday. “Even with the perpetrator in cus- District Attorney Alan Nash tody, the investigation of a capital Alan Nash Eddie Routh murder case takes considerable time, as it involves more than simply identifying a perpetrator and securing physical evidence post traumatic stress disorder. indicted by a grand jury within 90 days of relating to the crime.” Now, Nash is facing questions from the arrest. Nash said investigators are working those wondering what’s taking so long Nash said Routh’s defense team has not with his office to prepare the case for the for an indictment. The law states that the filed any such petition and doesn’t expect defense can petition the court to reduce them to. a defendant’s bond if they haven’t been “Following the murders of Chad LittleSee ROUTH on Page 2
“The investigation of a capital murder case takes considerable time, as it involves more than simply identifying a perpetrator and securing physical evidence relating to the crime.”
GRADUATION
Top of class
KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS
Blood drive to benefit tornado victims
Huckabay valedictorian headed to Austin “Don’t procrastinate in high school. Get things done as soon as possible, and you’ll be thanking yourself later.” - Marilu Sanchez Marilu Sanchez
BY CALEB MCCAIG caleb.mccaig@empiretribune.com
Marilu Sanchez, the Huckabay valedictorian, has high school graduation in her sights. The daughter of Juan and Audelia Sanchez is planning to attend the University of Texas in Austin next fall, majoring in biology with an interest in pre-pharmacy. “I want to go to pharmaceutical school because the profession gives you a good salary, no struggle and because it involves science,” San-
chez said. Sanchez credits her success in high school to her mother who has inspired her. “My mom had to overcome numerous difficulties when she was younger, so it really inspired me to do well,” she said. While at Huckabay, Sanchez’s favorite subject was math. “I had a lot of great memories here,” she said. “But my favorite was one day in science class, some
Knights of Columbus members Steve Deviney, Jose Rodriguez, Mike Hill, Michael Huxen, Shannon Hammon and Mike Waguespack have been busy preparing for Sunday’s blood drive. DONNIE BRYANT/E-T
See SANCHEZ on Page 2
See KOC on Page 2
BY DONNIE BRYANT
donnie.bryant@empiretribune.com
The Knights of Columbus are gearing up for the first of this year’s two blood drives they run annually under the auspices of Carter BloodCare. This is the 10th year the organization has promoted the blood drive. “We’ve always gone through Carter because at least 60 percent of the blood stays local,” coordinator Mike Hill explained. “Part of it goes to the military, and we encourage that as well.”
On average, Hill estimated 35 people participate in the drive, but in light of recent tragedies making headlines, there have already been 52 who have signed up. “That number determines how many techs they send us,” Hill said. “But we’ll take walk-ins. Anybody that shows up is welcome.” The drive will take place at Newman Hall located at the corner of Lillian Avenue and Washington Street from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Sunday. Hill said the emphasis of the drive will be for West and tornado victims in Oklahoma and Texas. He predict-
ed volunteers could expect an easy process of donating blood. “We’ll have plenty of people here to receive them,” he said. “There won’t be a long wait because we will have plenty of technicians. It should go really well.” Breakfast will be served to those who donate and to their families. Hill described protein as paramount to the health of those giving blood, especially for women. “Women struggle with low iron, so we encourage them to eat protein
LIBRARY
‘Dig’ into the summer reading program BY JESSIE HORTON
jessie.horton@empiretribune.com
When that final bell rings, it will signal the start of summer vacation. In that second when students go from fidgeting in their seats to a blur out the door, most educators will tell you those minds begin forgetting almost instantly. Research shows students who read for
Good morning, Subscriber Steve Erck, Stephenville, TX
fun during summer vacation will do better when school starts back in the fall and forget less over the break. With this in mind, the Stephenville Public Library and the Texas Summer Reading Program aim to keep kids reading during their break from school. The Summer Reading Program was designed to encourage youth to read for pleasure, retain learning gained during the
school year and promote the role of public and school libraries in early literacy, kindergarten through 12th grade and beyond. This year’s theme is “Dig into Reading.” Mary Meredith, director of the Stephenville Public Library, said the library will host special story times and other events throughout the summer. In addition, the SPL will hand out reading logs and encourage children to fill them out and
return them for a certificate and a goody bag full of surprises. She said the Stephenville Police Department, fire department and Sparky will help kick off the Summer Reading Program at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the library. For more information on this and other events at the library, stop by and pick up a calendar or check them out on Facebook.
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