Capital murder suspect slated for Aug. 25 trial

A jury trial is set Aug. 25 in the 27th District courtroom of Judge Joe Carroll for Donald Dean Gower, 40, of Copperas Cove.

Gower is charged with capital murder in the July 4 shooting death of his wife, 31-year-old Hidi Gower. He remains in the Lampasas County Jail.

Mrs. Gower, a Copperas Cove resident killed 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 action, Carroll revoked the bond of Christina N. Bruton, 22, charged with sexual assault of a child under 17. Bond was reset at $65,000.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of William Smart Henry, 21, of Belton after he failed to show up for court. His bond was increased to $10,000. Henry is charged with burglary of a habitation.

Killeen resident George Gail Minga, 39, is set to enter a plea on May 9 for forgery.

Sentencing is slated May 9 for Leona Ruth Garner, 24, on her charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver with a deadly weapon.

Douglas Lynn McGuffey, 21, will enter a plea and accept punishment May 9 for possession of a controlled substance.

A May 9 plea is set for James Worth Nesom, 51, for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger.

An adjudication announcement is on the May 9 docket for Steven R. Wilson, 23. He is charged with possession of a controlled substance.

May 12 jury trials are scheduled for John Ebon Woodruff, 34, for illegal dumping: disposal; and for Clay Cory Havins, 41, for driving while intoxicated and felony repetition.

Joseph Howard Farr, 20, of Copperas Cove faces a June 20 punishment hearing for evading arrest with a vehicle. A presentence investigation was ordered.

Armando Rosales, 29, is set to enter a plea June 27 for criminal mischief over $1,500 and under $20,000.

On a charge of possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, Clarence Ray Biddy, 54, of Lampasas is slated for a July 28 jury trial.

Aug. 25 jury trials are scheduled for Steven Eugene Daulton, 48, charged with forgery, and Ty Sterling Spieker, 32, for driving while intoxicated with a child passenger.