"Capital Murder Trials Bring New Expenses," is the title of a report in today's Hillsboro Reporter. Hill County is located between Dallas and Waco on IH-35.
For the fourth time since 2006, capital murder indictments have been handed up by a Hill County grand jury, this time two at a time.
Thirty-three-year-old James Christianson Jr. of Plano and 32-year-old Jennifer Alvarez of Amarillo are the latest capital murder suspects to be held in the Hill County Law Enforcement Center.
Only time will tell what effect that could have on the county financially as County Judge Justin Lewis prepares to file his 2011 preliminary budget later this week.
This time last year, the county was facing two capital murder trials with court-appointed lawyers as budget time approached.
Roger McClure was awaiting trial in the October 2006 death of Kenneth Wayne Hillyard near Penelope, and Debra Janelle Jeter stood charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder in connection with attacks on her daughters.
That prompted commissioners to create a capital murder line item in the jury fund containing $250,000 as a precautionary measure.
McClure was convicted of capital murder in November and received a life sentence. Jeter recently entered pleas in her cases in exchange for life sentences.
In both cases, the county sought or is seeking financial relief through the Texas Task Force on Indigent Defense (TTFID).
The program allows counties with little means to seek reimbursement for defense attorney fees, investigation expenses, expert witness expenses and other litigation expenses.
But, no funds may be sought to pay for investigation or legal expenses of the attorney for the state.
The maximum amount for which a county may seek reimbursement is $100,000 per case.
Related items are in the cost index.
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