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May 5, 2008

BREAKING NEWS: Mays trial begins

The capital murder trial of Randall Wayne Mays began Monday morning in Judge Carter Tarrance's 392nd District Court.

During opening arguments, the state -- led by Henderson County District Attorney Donna Bennett -- reiterated the circumstances on May 17, 2007. On that day, Henderson County Sheriff's Investigator Paul Habelt, 63, and Deputy Tony Ogburn, 61, were shot and killed while on duty. The pair had responded to a disturbance call at a residence in Payne Springs.

Mays' defense attorney, Bobby Mims of Tyler, told the jury during opening arguments that his client is responsible for shooting Habelt and Ogburn. But he added that he wants jurors to have a chance for the truth to come out about the shooting.

"Not only do you deserve the truth," he said to the jury, "but the public deserves to know the truth."

Earlier in the day, Mims requested that Tarrance poll jurors to see if they read an opinion piece published in Sunday's editions of the Athens Review. Tarrance denied the request. Throughout the jury selection process and continuing in to the beginning of the trial, Tarrance has instructed jurors not to read, listen to or remain in the listening area of any kind of report or talk about the case.

The Athens Review will post updates on the trial throughout each day.

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