Hearing on docket for murder suspect

A pretrial hearing is set April 18 for John Robert Martinez, 28, of Copperas Cove for capital murder.

Martinez 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.

He remains in the Lampasas County Jail on a $1 million bond.

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 action, Terry Jack Ayers, 50, of Holiday was sentenced to seven years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division for intoxication assault. He also was ordered to pay $360,000 in restitution. Ayers was credited with jail time served.

Also receiving a jail sentence was Brandon Lloyd Broach, 26, for violating probation on a possession of a controlled substance charge. Broach was given 18 months in state jail.

An arrest warrant was issued and bond increased for Shaun Keone Spencer of Killeen, who failed to show up for court. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance, cocaine.

Kempner resident Gerald Dee Brown, 42, faces arraignment Friday on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.

Pretrial hearings are set April 11 for Armando Rosales, 29, for criminal mischief over $1,500 and under $20,000; and for Mark Anthony Lujan, 31, for aggravated assault/threat with a deadly weapon.

Pleas are expected to be entered April 18 by Mary Lou Plumley, 46, for possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine; and Zachary Bothof, 24, of Lampasas for misapplication of fiduciary funds, property code.

Ms. Plumley also has a revocation hearing on the April 18 docket for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

April 18 pretrial hearings are slated for Mary Anne Curington, 53, of Burnet for possession of a chemical with intent to manufacture; and Lori Michelle Cumming, 32, of Lampasas for criminal nonsupport.

Pleas are to be entered May 9 by Thomas Edward Austerberry, 23, of Harker Heights for evading arrest with a vehicle; and for Joshua Steven Joswick, 19, for evading arrest with a vehicle. Presentence investigations were ordered.