Local News
Burns faces another charge
Daniel E. Burns — the former Brownsboro ISD band director facing sentencing next week for tampering with a government witness — may not be done standing in front a jury of his peers.
Burns, 40, has a case heading toward trial in Nacogdoches County. The charge is similar to the one on which he was tried last week in Henderson County — improper relationship between an educator and a student — although the circumstances are different.
In the Henderson County case, Burns was accused of groping his former drum major, then 17, in the high school band hall in the spring of 2005. Jurors deadlocked on that case, and a mistrial was declared. He was found guilty on two counts of tampering with a government witness, based on allegations he coerced the drum major and a friend to recant their stories to school officials after they told of the alleged sexual relationship.
The Nacogdoches County case stems from an alleged sexual encounter Burns and the drum major had in the summer of 2005 at a band camp on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. The drum major, testifying against Burns last week, said Burns asked her to come down to his room late one night, and that he fondled her and eventually had sexual intercourse with her.
Nacogdoches County Prosecutor John Boundy is in trial this week and unavailable for comment, but District Attorney Stephanie Stephens said the case has another pre-trial setting for Aug. 25. A trial date could be set soon after.
The case in Nacogdoches County is filed in Judge Edwin Klein’s 420th District Court.
“We are prepared to meet that charge and prove his innocence,” said John Eastland, who represented Burns on his Henderson County cases.
The Henderson County District Attorney’s Office has the option of retrying the case against Burns for the alleged improper relationship with the former drum major. Prosecutor John Scott said last week he will wait for the outcome of a sentencing hearing Monday in Judge Carter Tarrance’s 392nd District Court before deciding what action to take next.
Burns faces up to two years on each of the two charges of tampering with a government witness, a state-jail felony for which a prisoner serves time day-for-day with no chance of parole. Tarrance will impose the sentence.
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Church construction continues
Above, the Rev. Leon Wallace of Faith Church views the base of the steeple which was salvaged after his church was one of three in Athens which fell victim to arsonists in January. The steeple sits in front of a new church building being constructed by Cooper Plastering. The new building is estimated to have a worth of about $500,000 when completed.
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Man eludes deputies
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department continued to search Thursday for a man who eluded law officers in an automobile pursuit and foot chase near Coffee City.
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More offered during second event
The Athens Farmer’s Market happening again this Saturday. However, the next event has even more to offer than the kick-off event.
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Beekeeper says we are reason for honeybee decline
Honeybees bring more than just a taste of honey to the world, beekeeper Dick Counts told the Athens Rotary Club, Thursday.
Counts is the executive director of the East Texas Beekeepers Association. He says honeybees are amazing creatures that are among the most unusual and useful of God’s creations. -
AIS remodeling project continues
Workers from Brown Masonry brick a column as part of a remodeling project at Athens Intermediate School. Pictured, left to right are, Steve Justis, Supervisor Randy Teal, Marty Busby and John Hutchins.
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APD officers meet resistance
Law officers met resistance when they attempted to recover a stolen truck at a residence east of Athens Tuesday.
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New Seven Points Police Chief officially chosen
SEVEN POINTS — It’s OK to call Jack Nelson the Chief of Police in Seven Points now, It’s also been learned that there is a possible settlement between the former chief and the City of Seven Points.
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Man pulled over, then charged with marijuana possession
A 42-year-old man whose driving habits attracted the attention of a Henderson County Deputy was arrested Monday for possession of marijuana.
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Deadline approaches for 2011 county budget submission
The deadline is approaching for Henderson County Judge David Holstein to submit a proposed 2011 county budget.
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Elma Jo Harville Landers Asher
Services for Elma Jo Asher will be on Saturday, July 31, 2010 in Tomball. Burial will be in the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery.
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