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September 26, 2008

Navy recruiter indicted for deaths

From Staff Reports

The Henderson County grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Kemp man in connection to the deaths of an area pastor and his young daughter in February.

Jose Luis Joel Miramontes Jr., a 31-year-old recruiter for the U.S. Navy, was indicted on two counts of manslaughter/criminally negligent homicide in connection to the deaths of Shane Morgan, 34, and his 12-year-old daughter, Kaylee E. Morgan. Morgan was pastor at Hilltop Baptist Church in Berryville at the time of his death. Kaylee was a student at Brownsboro Intermediate School.

Mr. Morgan and his daughter were killed during a wreck on Feb. 13 on Farm-to-Market Road 317. They were riding in their family vehicle, along with Mr. Morgan’s wife, Lisa Morgan — a teacher in the Brownsboro Independent School District — and the couple’s 4-year-old daughter, Emily P. Morgan.

According to reports from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Miramontes was driving westbound on FM 317 in a government vehicle when he attempted to pass another westbound vehicle. The posted speed at that spot of the road is 55 miles per hour.

According to the indictment, Miramontes is charged with recklessly operating his motor vehicle “at a speed greater than was reasonable and prudent under conditions.” The indictment further states Miramontes used his vehicle as a deadly weapon, which could enhance the felony charge he faces.

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