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April 24, 2008

Mays trial set

Capital murder case to begin May 5

By Angela Weatherford

392nd District Court Judge Carter Tarrance on Wednesday said the capital murder trial of Randall Wayne Mays is scheduled to begin Monday, May 5.

Tarrance wouldn’t say whether a complete jury panel has been selected.

Jury selection in the case against Mays began in March, when 600 jury summonses were mailed to county residents. Individual interviews with potential jurors began April 3. That process was expected to take at least a month.

Mays was indicted last June for the May 17, 2007, shooting of Henderson County Sheriff’s Investigator Paul Habelt, 63, and Deputy Tony Ogburn, 61. Habelt and Ogburn were shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance at a Payne Springs residence.

A third deputy, Kevin Harris was also shot in the leg during the incident. He has been present at many of the pre-trial hearings.

Those who responded to a jury summons were asked a variety of questions, including if they have heard information about the case in media reports or through other means. Other questions focused on a potential bias to the death penalty.

If guilty, Mays could face life in prison or the death penalty.

Henderson County District Attorney Donna Bennett is prosecuting the case for the State of Texas. Tyler attorney Bobby Mims is representing Mays.

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