Murder suspect set for pretrial

In recent 27th District Court Action with Judge Joe Carroll presiding, Chaka Romain Johnson, 32, of Lampasas was set for a Feb. 8 pretrial hearing for capital murder.

Johnson is charged in the death of 31-year-old Copperas Cove resident Hidi Gower, whose body was discovered last July at the Kempner VFW in east Lampasas County.

Mrs. Gower was the victim of an alleged murder-for-hire plot instigated by her husband, Donald Dean Gower, 39, of Copperas Cove, who also is charged with capital murder.

Johnson is out of jail on $250,000 bond.

In other court proceedings, Lesia Sue Luttrell-Cain, 38, of Liberty, Kan., was given five years' deferred adjudication probation and a $1,000 fine for delivery of a controlled substance in a drug-free zone.

Three years' deferred adjudication probation and a $250 fine was assessed Nolanville resident Deanne Locke, 42, for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

An arrest warrant was issued, and bond was increased to $50,000 for Raul Mendoza, 36, who failed to show up for court. Mendoza is charged with driving while intoxicated and felony repetition.

Arraignments are set today for Mark Evan Lancaster, 47, of Lampasas for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; Lampasas resident Duane Cole Myers, 45, for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and Ali Hussein Ibrahim, 19, of Kempner for graffiti.

An adjudication hearing is set Jan. 11 for Ruben Vega Jr., 37, for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Terry Jay Crosby, 36, of San Saba faces an arraignment Jan. 11 for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition.

On a charge of delivery of a dangerous drug, Lampasas resident Michael James Odneal-Ybarra, 18, is set to enter a plea on Jan. 25. A presentence investigation was ordered.

A pretrial hearing is on the Jan. 25 docket for Mark Anthony Lujan, 30, on a charge of aggravated assault/ threat with a deadly weapon.

Zachary Bothof, 23, of Lampasas, faces a Feb. 11 jury trial for misapplication of trust funds (property code).