Capital murder defendants have court hearings

Chaka Romain Johnson, 32, of Lampasas and John Robert Martinez, 28, of Copperas Cove, two defendants in the capital murder case of Copperas Cove resident Hidi Gower, were in Judge Joe Carroll's 27th District Court last Friday for hearings.

Both are still in the Lampasas County Jail.

Johnson faces a June 9 jury trial, and Martinez is set for a March 28 pretrial hearing.

Both are charged in the death of the 31-year-old woman 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.

In other court proceedings, the judge sentenced Dude Edward Beabout, 50, of Gatesville to one year in state jail for theft over $1,500 and under $20,000. He also must pay court costs.

Bonds were set at $20,000 each for Daniel Bagley, 49, and Dana Bagley, 51, both charged with securing/executing a document by deception. They were indicted in July 2006 and face an adjudication announcement on May 2.

Killeen resident Erika Charles, 28, was given five years' deferred adjudication probation and a $1,000 fine for forgery. She also was ordered to pay restitution and court costs.

April Dawn Mack, 28, of Lampasas had her probation amended for debit card abuse.

Pleas are to be entered Feb. 22 for Lampasas resident Mark Evan Lancaster, 47, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; and Isreal Garcia, 32, for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition.

Arraignment is slated Feb. 22 for Dereck Andrew Cox. The 18-yearold Lampasan is charged with criminal mischief with a deadly weapon.

In a bond hearing, Diane Renteria Hernandez, 50, was ordered to pay a $2,500 surety bond to be released from the county jail. She is charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine.

March 14 pretrials are scheduled for Joseph Howard Farr, 20, of Copperas Cove for evading arrest with a vehicle, and Terry Jay Crosby, 36, of San Saba for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition.

A revocation hearing is on the March 28 docket for Mary Lou Plumley, 46, for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. She also is set to enter a plea for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

On two charges of intoxication assault, Daniel Ryan Anderson, 24, is set to enter a plea April 4. A presentence investigation was ordered.

Ted Paul Horn, 70, charged with aggravated assault causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon, faces an April 4 plea. The judge ordered a presentence investigation.

Copperas Cove resident Adam Blake Hobill, 28, is expected to enter a plea April 11 for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition. A presentence investigation was ordered.

April 28 jury trials are scheduled for Rachel Ann Byrd, 32, of Kempner for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver; Sontaya Pelletier Vrankovich, 19, of Copperas Cove for theft over $1,500 and under $20,000; Steven Eugene Daulton, 48, for forgery; and John Ebon Woodruff, 33, for illegal dumping/ disposal.

Jennifer Fralin, 26, of Lampasas is set for an adjudication review on Aug. 15. She is charged with theft over $1,500 and under $20,000.