By Art Lawler
A friendly poker game turned into anything but Saturday night in Moore Station, and Bryan James Thompson of Chandler found himself charged with murder.
According to reports from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department, Thompson shot Randy L. Meador, 47, in the chest with a 12-gauge shotgun.
Pct. 4 Justice of the Peace Sue Tarrant pronounced Meador dead at the scene and ordered the body sent to Southwest Forensics Institute in Dallas for autopsy.
Thompson’s story to authorities indicated either an accident or self-defense, but after reviewing the scene, investigators arrested Thompson and charged him with murder.
Within hours, Thompson had posted a $100,000 bond and was freed from Henderson County Jail.
The lead investigator on the case is Henderson County Deputy Kevin Hanes.
He, along with Coffee City Police Officer Shawn Soley, Patrol Sgt. Ronny Halbert and Deputy John Bell, met with Thompson at a liquor store before he led them to a Moore Station community address about 1.5 miles north of the store.
Meador and Thompson were believed to be two of five people at the poker party, and witnesses believe the two had not met prior to Saturday evening.
According to Thompson, Meador kept telling him he was going to kill him. Thompson told authorities he got an “eerie feeling” about Meador and got his 12-gauge shotgun and went outside to empty the rifle, apparently in an attempt to defuse the issue.
As he was doing that, Thompson told authorities, Meador rushed him and the two struggled over the rifle. At some point the rifle discharged, hitting Meador in the chest.
Once the investigation is finalized, it will be turned over to the District Attorney’s office for later review by a grand jury.
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e-mail alawler@athensreview.com
