Murder Plea in Yoakum; Shooting Spree in Navasota
Hallettsville Tribune-Herald
Long-time Lavaca County resident, Doug Kubicek, has decided to toss his hat in the ring to run for County Judge. “I have considered running for a county office for some time,” Kubicek said. “Through the years, I have given freely and shared my knowledge with the people of Lavaca County in whatever way I could.” Kubicek, 68, will be listed on the ballot as a Democrat.
Yoakum Herald-Times
Christopher Allen Debord, 25 of Hallettsville, will spend at least the next three decades behind bars after he pleaded guilty to the murder of a Schroeder woman at her home last year. On August 27 Debord accepted the plea bargain on admitting his guilt to the murder of Margaret Ellen Tucker, 62, who was found shot to death at her home in rural Goliad County last September. Both Debord and his cousin Devon Keith Debord, 22 of Yoakum, have remained in custody at the Goliad County Jail since their arrest on September 22, 2019. Christopher Debord entered Tucker’s home intending to steal items, while Devon waited outside in a Jeep. Sometime during the burglary, Christopher Debord shot Tucker in her bedroom. Both Debords were initially booked on other charges, but after they reportedly made statements to police that tied them to the killing they were served capital murder warrants. The capital murder case against Devon is still pending as of press time.
The Brenham Banner-Press
Commissioners Court voted 3-2 in favor of one-time hazard pay for Washington County jail employees and EMS field staff during the September 1 meeting. The payment uses money from the CARES Act COVID-19 relief funds to give a $500 hazard/ recruitment payment to all jail employees and EMS field staff. Commissioners Kirk Hanath and Joy Fuchs voted against the pay, arguing all front line workers continuously are putting themselves at risk of COVID-19 and should not be overlooked. The Shiner Gazette
Shiner Elementary Principal Greg Murrile, who posted daily live feeds to Shiner public school students throughout the pandemic, was recently named the Region 3’s Outstanding Middle School Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP).
The Navasota Examiner
Navasota Police responded to the 300 block of North La-Salle for reports of a verbal altercation between two groups on September 1. Officers interviewed those involved and the two groups were separated. The disturbance calls involving the two groups continued throughout the night and eventually escalated to multiple shots fired. Officers responded to multiple locations throughout town for verbal disturbances between the same two groups. Navasota Police Chief Shawn Myatt said officers were dispatched to the 900 block of West Virginia Street, where the verbal altercations turned physical. “While officers were taking statements from the victim, officers heard several gunshots coming from a few blocks away,” said My att. “Officers ran to the area of the gunshots but didn’t locate anyone. They did locate multiple empty shell casings at the intersection of Felder Street and Willie Street,” Myatt said. As officers continued their investigation, they were dispatched to the 500 block of East Dickson Street. “When officers arrived, they observed a vehicle with several bullet holes,” stated Myatt. According to Myatt the owner of the vehicle said they were shot at by several males that were in a gray four-door car. Myatt said the car was damaged, but no one was injured. While investigating the shooting on East Dickson Street, officers were dispatched to yet another shooting call, this one on the 500 block of Johnson Street. Officers arrived and found multiple bullet holes throughout a residence. The homeowners said they weren’t struck but the bullets came close.
While processing the scene, Myatt said officers noticed a vehicle matching the description of the suspect’s vehicle. Officers followed the vehicle to the 500 block of Laredo Street and contacted the driver, identified as Afron Taylor, 28, from Navasota. Taylor had an outstanding warrant for evading arrest in Brazos County. Taylor was taken into custody.
What the Neighbors Are Talking About
A look at what’s making news just over the county line.