Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Discussion

March 13, 2009

Jury sentences man to 25 years for seventh DWI

Special to the Review

A Henderson County Jury took just under 1 hour to sentence a Brownsboro man to 25 years in the penitentiary for his seventh driving while intoxicated conviction in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court Wednesday night.

Royce Ray Savell, 52, of Brownsboro, pled not guilty to the DWI charge stemming from an April 20, 2008 arrest by Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Johnnie Massey.

Massey was patrolling an area near Farm-to-Market 314 and County Road 3603 when he observed Savell’s vehicle weaving and traveling at a high rate of speed. Trooper Massey caught up with the vehicle as he turned into Gullett’s trailer park and eventually stopped in front of a trailer Savell claimed was his. Savell had as a passenger his 19 year-old son and claimed he was coming from a party.

During the trial, Massey testified that he believed Savell was extremely intoxicated and that he had refused to take a breath test. Assistant District Attorney Bridget Bateman introduced the video tape of the incident and told the jury during closing arguments that they should not want someone like Savell on the same roads that their children and grandchildren would be traveling.

The jury deliberated for approximately two and a half hours before returning a guilty verdict.

During the sentencing phase of the trial, Bateman was allowed to introduce Savell’s previous DWI convictions, three of which Savell pled were not true. Major Kevin Hanes of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department testified that he compared Savell’s fingerprints with those from his previous convictions and determined that they were from Savell.

Bateman told the jury that she knew it wasn’t easy to send a man to prison for DWI but they should consider the fact that Savell had been drinking and driving since 1984. She also responded to the defense’s arguments by telling the jury that “they should sleep well knowing that he would not be driving on our roads anymore”.

After the trial, District Attorney Scott McKee acknowledged that Texas leads the nation in alcohol-related deaths.

“I am relieved that this jury took Mr. Savell off our streets,” he said. “Based on the number of DWIs Mr. Savell has racked up over the years, it was obvious to me that it was only a matter of time before he killed someone or himself.”

McKee also said his office has now encouraged and provided the resources to obtain search warrants to draw blood from those who are suspected of a felony level DWI and refuse to submit to a breath test.

“I know the Legislature is working on these issues this session with bills to allow DWI checkpoints as well as making it easier to obtain blood evidence from those suspected of drinking and driving,” McKee said. “However, until and if these get passed we will have to continue to be vigilant and obtain warrants when probable cause exists.”

Texas is one of only eleven states that do not allow checkpoints.

Text Only
Local News
  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos

  • Witnesses aid in suspects’ capture

    Timing is everything, and one would-be burglar apparently didn't have it during a burglary at a home on North Murchison Street near Athens.
    Witnesses saw the burglary as it was happening, and one homeowner, Billy Stewart, fired three rounds at the burglar, as he was driving off his property with a stolen yellow 4-wheeler.

    May 24, 2012

  • Ariel Reeder.JPG Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    Ariel Reeder and Sam Harrell have been chosen respectively as Valedictorian and Salutatorian of Athens Christian Preparatory Academy.  More will be announced from other area schools in future issues.

    May 23, 2012 2 Photos

  • Mayor.JPG GBC mayor official after vote canvassing

    GUN BARREL  CITY — It's official now.
    There's a new mayor in Gun Barrel City, thanks to the canvassing of votes at Tuesday night's regularly-scheduled city council meeting.

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • VocalTrashinKaufman (3).JPG Recycled art gets attention

    Last Saturday, the Lost Treasures Found Art Event, held in the Kaufman Town Square,  gave people a chance to see real examples of exactly how items we might typically throw out, could be used in a new way or recycled into art that could be treasured for a lifetime instead.
     

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • Alexis #2.JPG Dogs waiting for homes


    The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is proud to spotlight four dogs and  one puppy this week in their never ending quest to find “furrever” homes for pets.
     Alexis is a  one and half year old white female small husky/Spitz mix. She is spayed, housebroken and good with kids but needs to be the only dog, or time to adjust to other dogs. Alexis was at the shelter for 3 months and is now in a foster home, waiting for her new family. She is very playful, loves her squeaky toys and has a lot of energy. 

    May 23, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0030.JPG SLIDE SHOW -Cedar Creek Women's Club fashion show Bealls Department Store in Gun Barrel City held a fashion show for the women who attended the monthly luncheon at Cedar Creek Country Club.

    May 23, 2012