Two murder suspects slated for pretrial

In recent 27th District Court action in Judge Joe Carroll's courtroom, pretrial hearings were set for Copperas Cove residents Donald Dean Gower, 39, and John Robert Martinez, 28, for capital murder.

They are being charged with the July 4 shooting death of Gower's wife, Hidi, 31.

Both remain in the Lampasas County Jail. Gower's bond is set at $1.25 million, and bond for Martinez is $1 million.

Mrs. Gower, a Copperas Cove resident murdered at the Kempner VFW in east Lampasas County, was the victim of a murder-for-hire plot instigated by her husband, according to law officials.

In other court action, Jacob Levi Vasquez, 23, had his probation revoked, and he was sentenced to four years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for burglary of a habitation. He was credited with jail time served.

A four-year sentence in state jail also was given to John William Null Jr., 33, for failure to register as a sex offender.

Corey Joseph Evans, 25, of Copperas Cove was sentenced to 15 months in state jail for tampering with evidence. The state dropped an additional charge against him.

Six months in state jail was assessed Bobbie Lee Burnham, 42, of San Saba for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine. Burnham was ordered to pay court costs and $140 in restitution.

Arrest warrants were issued and bonds increased to $50,000 for Lester Kemp, 36, and Pamela Rhea Harbin, 36, of Lampasas when they failed to show up for court. Kemp is charged with criminal non-support, and Ms. Harbin faces a possession of a controlled substance charge.

Kory Dean Porter, 18, of Lampasas was given eight years' probation and must serve 60 days in the Lampasas County Jail and 15 days of weekend jail time for intoxicated manslaughter. He also had his driver's license suspended for six months and must pay restitution of $8,481.39.

Five years' probation was given to 42-year-old Carol Taylor. The Lampasas resident is charged with possession of a controlled substance. She also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and perform community service.

Kempner resident Robert H. Wilson, 25, received seven years' probation for burglary of a habitation.

Fredrick Lionel Miller, 39, received five years' deferred adjudication probation and a $1,000 fine for burglary of a habitation.

Arlington resident Rhonda Lanette Kolanek, 34, was given three years' deferred adjudication probation for possession of a controlled substance. She must pay a $1,000 fine, make restitution and perform community service.

Bradley Travis Lindsey, 23, of Burnet was sentenced to three years' deferred adjudication probation and a $1,000 fine. He also was ordered to perform community service for evading arrest with a vehicle.

Kaci Dawn Henry, 26, of Kempner faces a shock probation hearing today for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Mary Lou Plumley, 46, is set for a revocation hearing today for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. She also is expected to enter a plea for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Eighteen-year-old Raymond Smith of Lampasas is to enter a plea today for theft over $1,500 and under $20,000.

Arraignment is scheduled today for John Elton Woodruff, 33, for illegal dumping, disposal.

Pretrial hearings are slated Dec. 21 for Isreal Garcia, 32, for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition; and Michael James Odneal- Ybarra, 18, of Lampasas for delivery of a dangerous drug.

Plea and punishment hearings are slated Jan. 4 for Wesley Ray Nichols, 19, for indecency with a child, sexual contact.

A Jan. 4 pretrial hearing is on the docket for April Dawn Smith, 27, of Lampasas for theft over $1,500 and under $20,000. She also faces an adjudication hearing for debit card abuse.

To allow Robert Eric Younggreen, 24, of San Saba to enter a treatment center, the judge reset his punishment hearing to Jan. 4. Younggreen is charged with possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

George Truitt, 41, of Kempner will have a trial before the court on Jan. 4. He is charged with evading arrest with a vehicle.

Erika Charles, 28, of Killeen is set to enter a plea and receive punishment Jan. 18 for forgery. A presentence investigation was ordered.

Rayford Wayne Lockett, 42, of Harker Heights is expected to enter a plea Jan. 18 for possession of a controlled substance, cocaine; and Paul Brian Crawford, 21, of Temple will enter a plea that date for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

Richard Thurston House, 21, of Dublin is set for a Feb. 11 jury trial for theft over $20,000 and under $100,000.

Chad Lee Machen, 22, of Seymour faces a March 14 review. He is charged with aggravated assault/ threat with a deadly weapon.