Local News
Top 10 Stories of 2009
No. 8 Westbrook escapes
Convicted murderer Donnie Ray Westbrook escaped from Henderson County Sheriff’s Department custody after a jury handed down the sentence of life in prison on Aug. 18.
When transport Deputy Glen Loper escorted him back to the holding cell at the Henderson County Justice Center, Westbrook jerked himself away from the grip of Loper and darted out the back door.
An all-out manhunt ensued throughout the evening and into the early morning hours. No one caught him. Not the helicopter in the air, nor the Texas Rangers, nor the U.S. Marshals, nor the Henderson County Sheriff’s Department task force; nor two packs of trained dogs.
Nobody could sniff him out — not even the Athens Police Department, at least not until a dispatcher took the all-important 9-1-1 call.
Westbrook turned himself in just two blocks from where he fled 17 hours earlier.
He was convicted of stabbing Jerry Jeff Huff, 41, last November in Cherokee Shores. Huff died later at the hospital.
When the penalty phase of his murder trial resumed at 1:15 p.m. that day, Westbrook was in custody, properly shackled as a convicted murderer, sitting where he had been pronounced guilty the day before after two hours of deliberation by a 392nd District Court jury.
Craig Rhoton, of Sterling Monument, heard about Westbrook’s escape, read the physical description, but when a polite young man walked into his office to borrow the telephone — perfectly fitting that description — Rhoton said he didn’t have a clue that he was talking to the fugitive from justice he’d been reading about.
Westbrook told him he had been riding with a friend, they got into an argument and the friend made him get out of the car. He told him he just needed to use the phone.
After calling a friend to come get him, he made the decision to call 911 and turn himself in.
- Local News
-
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
APD officers meet resistance
Law officers met resistance when they attempted to recover a stolen truck at a residence east of Athens Tuesday.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Deadline approaches for 2011 county budget submission
The deadline is approaching for Henderson County Judge David Holstein to submit a proposed 2011 county budget.
-
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.
- More Local News Headlines
-
