Athens Review, Athens, Texas

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May 2, 2008

Mays trial begins Monday

From staff reports

The capital murder trial of Randall Wayne Mays is scheduled to begin Monday in Judge Carter Tarrance’s 392nd District Court.

Mays is accused of the May 17, 2007, shooting deaths of two Henderson County Sheriff’s Department officers: 63-year-old Investigator Paul Habelt and 61-year-old Deputy Tony Ogburn. A third deputy, Kevin Harris, suffered a wound to the leg and survived.

If convicted, Mays faces life in prison or the death penalty for capital murder. The capital murder statute is being applied to Mays’ case because he is accused of murdering a peace officer in the line of duty.

The jury selection process began in March, when the county sent between 600 to 1,000 summonses to Henderson County residents. Of that number, 301 residents responded to an initial jury selection process held at the Cain Center because of the size of the potential jury pool.

Jury selection finished in late April.

Security is expected to be tight at the Henderson County Judicial Complex, where the trial will be held.

Henderson County District Attorney Donna Bennett will prosecute the case for the State of Texas. Bobby Mims, a Tyler attorney, is leading the defense of Mays.

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