In April 1985 the Texas Rangers lost custody of the most prolific confessor in American history. Henry Lee Lucas had spent nearly two years in the Williamson County jail at Georgetown, and in that time roughly a thousand officers from across the country had come to put their unsolved murders to him. He agreed with nearly all of them. On April 14 the McLennan County district attorney, Vic Feazell, had him bench-warranted to Waco, and by the end of that week Lucas was telling a grand jury and the newspapers that the only person he had ever killed was his mother. The Attorney General of Texas, Jim Mattox, sent a 171-page chronology of Lucas's whereabouts to the Department of Public Safety the following January, and it said that many of the confessions the Rangers had logged as confirmed could not be true.
These are the papers Captain Bob Prince, who ran the Lucas Homicide Task Force as a sergeant, kept from that fight and released to a researcher in 2020. He assembled them himself, with a page of his own at the front answering a Houston Chronicle article that had accused the Task Force of hiding evidence in a Baytown murder, and the selection is his defense. What he chose to keep is the record all the same: the Department's memoranda answering the Attorney General point by point, the Task Force's own synopsis of each killing, and letters from sheriffs, chiefs and prosecutors in Nebraska, Louisiana, Georgia, New York, Wisconsin, Alabama, Nevada and Texas, most written in the winter of 1985 and 1986 after the Dallas Times Herald had reported that their cases were being reopened, each saying that it was not. The Scotts Bluff County sheriff writes that after Lucas was shown one photograph of Stella McLean it took him two minutes and thirteen seconds to convince him. The Grand Island police lieutenant writes that Lucas knew Janet Callies was separated from her husband and had three children, which was not in the case file. The district attorney of Livingston County, New York, writes to 60 Minutes that Lucas was disgusting to deal with, that the Rangers warned him to test everything Lucas said, and that Lucas's story about the woman in the cornfield checked out anyway.
The Rangers' own doubts are here too, which is what makes the file worth more than a defense. A June 1985 memorandum goes through eight cases the Times Herald had named and sorts them into those where a Ranger led the investigation and those where a Ranger had only relayed information from a sheriff and been written down as the clearing officer, and it strikes the ones that should never have been carried. A memorandum of December 1985 corrects the clearance authority on some forty cases, one at a time. A January 1986 memorandum lists the conflicts the Attorney General was expected to raise, a paycheck from a Pennsylvania mushroom farm, a scrap metal receipt in Jacksonville, relatives in Maryland, and in two of the Lubbock cases the Rangers write that the charges have already been dismissed. Two of Prince's memoranda to the Director explain how a case came to be called confirmed when the Ranger who worked it did not think it was.
The three smaller documents belong to the other side of April 1985. One is a recorded statement taken from Sister Clemmie Schroeder, the lay minister who had become Lucas's closest friend in jail, on the afternoon she came back from seeing him in Waco. Another is the United States Attorney in San Antonio answering Mattox's charge that her grand jury subpoena for Lucas was a bogus intervention on the Rangers' behalf. The last is a set of State Bar of Texas judgments from 1987 against five Waco lawyers who had made large cash contributions to Feazell, the district attorney who had taken Lucas away. Feazell himself was indicted in federal court in 1986 and acquitted on every count in June 1987, and in 1991 a Waco jury awarded him $58 million against the Dallas television station whose reports had started the investigation, at the time the largest libel verdict in the country. Nothing in these papers records that.
One document in this file is a transcript, and Lucas does not speak in it. The interview recorded at 3:15 on the afternoon of April 16, 1985, in the office of Walter Werner, assistant chief of criminal law enforcement at the Department of Public Safety, with Sheriff Jim Boutwell present, is of Sister Clemmie Schroeder, and the speaker keys the typist used come through the scan as "1-" and "jJ" and sometimes as nothing at all. Everything Lucas is quoted as saying in it, that he did not know, that everything was a mess, that he could not have gone back to the scenes if he had not killed those people, is her recollection of a conversation through a cell door a few hours earlier, given to two men whose Task Force was about to be shut down. Everything the district attorney is quoted as saying is the same. It is a remarkable document about pressure, hers and his, and it is not evidence of what either man said.
Prince's page at the front is his, written in 2020, and we have not printed it beyond the sentence that matters: "The role of the Task Force was to coordinate interviews and not to investigate." That is both his defense and the whole problem, and the reader should hold it against every letter that follows, because nearly every one is from an agency saying it verified the confession itself. Two letters from Gerald Street, the Delaware attorney who interviewed Lucas about Sarita Hughes's murder on behalf of her convicted husband, are described here rather than printed, because the second of them asks the Department in so many words not to let it be reprinted, and a letter can be a public record and still deserve that courtesy. The clippings Prince kept, a Houston Chronicle essay from 2020, two Dallas Times Herald pieces by Hugh Aynesworth and Jim Henderson from 1985 and their table of ninety cases, an Austin American-Statesman report on the federal grand jury and two pages of the Texas Bar Journal, belong to the newspapers and are not here either. The Times Herald table is the thing the Rangers are answering all through this file. It is the one document a reader would most want and cannot have from us.
The two documents about the district attorney need the most care, and we have handled them differently. The three-page memorandum of April 26, 1985, in which a DPS investigator records a meeting in Austin with the FBI, the IRS and an assistant United States attorney about allegations that Vic Feazell was taking money to dismiss drunk-driving cases, names private citizens as the alleged payers. Those allegations went to a federal jury in 1987 and the jury rejected all of them, and a jury's acquittal is the one thing that cannot be argued with afterwards, so the memorandum is described and its accusations against named individuals are not repeated. The State Bar judgments of 1987 are printed, because they are official actions taken with the consent of the five lawyers concerned, published in the Bar Journal by rule. Read them for exactly what they say. Each lawyer agreed that his cash contributions to the district attorney had the appearance of impropriety, and several agreed that they had testified for the prosecution at Feazell's trial. None of them is a finding about Feazell, whom the committee never charged and who was never a party.
The Rangers were a Texas state agency and so was the Attorney General, the State Bar of Texas is a state body, and the police departments, sheriffs' offices and prosecutors who wrote to Georgetown were writing as public officers, so the record on this page is public and can be read, quoted and reproduced without asking anyone. The one private letter we have printed is Vernon Doake's of April 26, 1985, because a man from a Huntington Ford dealership was asked by that city's police to ride in the van as a neutral observer while Lucas looked for the place he said he had shot Officer Clemmie Curtis, and he wrote his account for the police file at their request. He was in the van; he says the officers gave Lucas nothing. That is what a neutral observer is for, and it belongs with the memorandum it was attached to. The papers were digitized by the researcher Prince gave them to and deposited in the Internet Archive; nobody holds a certified copy but the Department of Public Safety.
This is the cleanest scan in the Documents category, modern photocopies of typed and word-processed pages, and the capture's own test put two reading engines in 93 per cent agreement. We repaired 191 misread words where one real word fit and split 208 that the scan had run together, then ran every repair back against the source. Three of the thirty-three that came back we overruled by hand, because the source spelling was itself the scanner's error: Sister Clemmie is hugging Lucas through the bars, not mugging him; a complaint is docketed with a grievance committee, not pocketed. Where a paragraph repeated itself across the file, and this file repeats itself a great deal, the Task Force synopsis header, the Bar's probation terms, the Department's routing lines, it is printed once. Of the five Bar judgments only the first is printed in full; for the other four we kept the findings and the sanction and dropped the identical boilerplate. The Commercial Metals receipts that anchor the Baytown, Alabama and Nevada alibi arguments are tables of weight tickets and read as numbers; what they show is stated in the Department's own response sheets, which are printed. The travel logs headed DAY LUCAS ACTIVITY and DAY TOOLE ACTIVITY for July 1981 are calendar grids and came through as fragments, and are described here instead: they put Toole in Wilmington, Delaware applying for welfare and confirm his killing of Mary Coffman in Tulsa on July 11.
1981 Attorney General's Report
6/23 Lucas sold 880 pounds of scra Dianna Lynn Underwood metal in Jacksonville, Comment: Homicide infomation from Task For shot three(3) times in neck.
D.p.s. Response Conflict:
No clear-cut conflict. Commercial Metals record indicates Lucas sold scrap metal on 6-23-81, however, this date is not clearly legible and has been handwritten on the weight ticket, apparently by personnel from Commercial Metals. The fact that number is 132527 and is out of sequence with 132582, which was issued 6-21-81, would also tend to destroy credibility of this particular
Date: 6-23-81 Location: Baytown, Victim: Diana Lynn Underwood, 32 Victim was lone attendant at 7-11 convenience store. On 6-23-81, approximately 3:30 am., victim was found deceased, laying fully clothed, shot 3 times in the head and neck area with a caliber weapon. Approximately from the cash register and an unknown amount in rolled coins had been taken from the business.
On 5-9-84, Lucas directed officers to location of business and stated at that location he committed the offense. He was then taken inside where he noted the differences in the layout of the store at the Present time from layout of store when offense occurred.
Lucas stated that he, Ottis Toole, and Becky Powell were driving a 1968 green Ford Station Wagon with Maryland license plates and that they drove to the front the business to purchase gas. A tank full was obtained, then while others remained in vehicle, Lucas stated he walked inside, robbed victim, taking approximately and roll of coins, stated he shot causing victim several times in head her death. (Toole possibly not present at this offense.)
Det. Kuehn RE: Diana Lynn Underwood Baytown Police Depaetment 3200 N.Main Baytown, Texas 77521 Dear Sir:
Reference our telephone conversation dated May 16,1985, concerning the possible sale of scrap metal by Henry L.Lucas to Commercial Metals Company Please find attach, a copy of the sales receipt concerning the time in question, Yours truly, Walter A. werner Asst Chief, Criminal Law Enforcement Texas Department of Public Safety
attached letter was sent to the following list of law enforcement agencies on May 16,1985, regarding the sale of scrap metal by Henry L.Lucas
Date 03-14-86 FROM: Bob Prince, Sergeant, Company AG's Staff This memo will serve to evaluate and respond to the narrative portion of the AG's report concerning the Henry Lee Lucas investigation. The following is Submitted for such evaluation:
In the introductory pages of the report it addresses three homicides McLennan County, Texas to which Lucas confessed.
1. Refers to Glen Parks case in which Lucas confessed to being involved in offense which occurred 10-22-77. The report states Toole was in jail in Jacksonville, Florida at the time the offense occurred.
on 2-1-84, then provided Task Force with confirmation information that Lucas was involved homicide of victim Parks.
Lucas stated his partner in offense was Ottis Toole.
Task Force records indicated Toole was in jail at time offense, therefore, this was not entered as a confirmed offense with Toole being involved on Task Force Travel Refers to Dorothy Collins case in which Lucas confessed to being involved in offenses which occurred on 1-25-81. Report states the McLennan County District Attorney's Office learned several months prior to confessing to the homicide he had been asked about this and denied committing the homicide.
RESPONSE: This is correct, however, the report leaves out the fact that the only agency which interviewed Lucas concerning this offense was different deputies of the McLennan County Sheriff's Department.
The fact that when first officers interviewed Lucas, it was unknown that the name Lucas was the victim's "trick book".
When the second set interviewed Lucas, they determined was involved, then transported Lucas to the area of the crime scene where Lucas pointed out the location where the body been found. It is suspect if the first set of officers provided Lucas all of the details and also told him how to get to the Scene. It is unknown if any "spontaneous" information was provided outside of the formal interviews.
3. Refers to Rita Salazar case in which Lucas confessed to being involved in offense which occurred on 11-5-78. AG's report states the McLennan County District Attorney's Office learned several months prior to confessing to the homicide Lucas had been asked about the crime and denied same.
RESPONSE: This 18 correct as officers from McLennan and Williamson Counties had interviewed Lucas regarding this offense. The reason being the agencies had a joint responsibility. Salazar's companions (Kevin body had been found in Williamson County, then Salazar's body had been found in McLennan County.
Due to ballistics information and circumstances, it was obvious both were killed by the same killer or killers.
determined in their opinions Lucas and Toole were responsible for the homicides of Key and Salazar.
The only spontaneous information in this offense which has been brought to the attention of the Task Force is when Lucas was being transported via helicopter along IH35 from Dallas to Georgetown, Lucas pointed out the window and stated to Ranger Clayton Smith, "That's where I killed that girl." This is the location where Rita Salazar's body had been found.
AG's report also states that Lucas was interviewed about several probably many murder cases and initially denied any involvement. It stated later Lucas would voluntarily "confess" to the crime to an officer who had no knowledge of the crime, let alone that Lucas had been interviewed. This harsh statement needs to be backed up with specifics as each case naturally needs to stand on its own merits.
Even the most incompetent officer would recognize if Lucas only fed information back spontaneously which he had originally given to him. Normally, only one or two officers would be involved in an investigation, therefore, even if Lucas did deny being responsible for a homicide, then later spontaneously give information, this surely could be recognized.
the Attorney General has knowledge of this occurring, the agencies involved need to be advised and look at their corroboration used for the clearance.
The report attacks the credibility and intelligence of the law enforcement officers which interviewed Lucas and determined he was involved in the respective homicides within their jurisdiction. Of the approximately 162 homicides Lucas is still believed to be involved in by different investigators, there are different levels of certainty of involvement. This is evidenced by the fact he has been convicted in 11 homicides, indicted in numerous others, yet in some cases even investigators within the same departments disagree as to his involvement.
Memo to Captain Block from Sgt. Prince, Response to AG's Narrative Page 3 concerning AG's Office had been asked to look into the Lucas matter. Both Chief Werner and Sheriff Boutwell invited Feary to sit in on any or all interviews which officers had with Lucas and go on any or all trips in which Lucas attempted to point out crime scenes. He was also advised that any information which the Task Force had, he was welcome to view. This invitation was made so the AG's Staff could see the Task Force operation and interviews firsthand in case they wanted make an objective evaluation.
Attorney General's Staff had any further contact with the Task Force members until after Lucas was bench-warranted to McLennan County on 4-14-85.
Texas Ranger Sgt. Bob Prince and Ranger Clayton Smith were the DPS Task Force members who worked with Lucas on a daily basis. They had no contact with the Attorney General's Staff prior to the removal of Lucas from their access ibility.
Later Sgt. Prince advised the AG's Staff that numerous officers from across nation would like to speak as to the credibility of their determining Lucas was involved in offenses within their jurisdiction and also speak as to the credibility of the Task Force operation. These officers were not contacted as neither their names nor agencies were obtained.
Members of Lucas' family appear to have super human memories accordi to the Attorney General's report, being able to tell exact dates in which Lucas was specific locations on numerous occasions without any type documentation.
This memory appears to have drastically improved during Bob Lemons, Hugh Aynesworth, and Mike Feary's interviews. When the relatives were interviewed shortly after Lucas' arrest in 1983 by Gayle Reaves, writer, Fort Worth Star Telegram they did hot seem to recall dates, etc. See Attachment George Pierpont, Lt., Provo, Utah Police Department also interviewed relatives and could not learn where Lucas was during the time frame around his offense.
not determine exactly where Lucas was during the time frame around his offense during interviews with Lucas' relatives.
The Attorney General's report states that Lucas and Toole met in February, They alluded to information gathered by Aynesworth and Lemons during their interviews with Lucas! relatives, but they omit that relative Leonard Kiser states Lucas brought Toole to his place of business and introduced him in 1977.
stated on a taped interview in which Aynesworth and Lemons were interviewing Kiser which both the AG's Staff and DPS have possession Also attached is a report from Richard Mobley of the Cecil County, Maryland Sheriff's Department of an interview in which Mobley interviews Leonard and the same information is given to Mobley by Kiser. See Attachment
The AG's narrative report lacks specificity and objectivity. report relates investigative details in such a manner that omit key points. These ommitted points affect the objective interpretation of the information related, thus rending the report an ineffective document for law enforcement purposes.
Respectfully submitted, Bob Prince, Sergeant Texas Rangers, Company Waco, Texas Maryland Approved:
Block, Senior Ranger Captain Approved:
A. Hacker, Chief Criminal Law Enforcement
Date 03-07-86 Chronology on the Whereabouts of Henry Lee Lucas As you are aware, on 01-03-86, the Texas Attorney General's office provided Department with a copy of a document referred to as "The Chronology On The Whereabouts of Henry Lee Lucas." The document (thereafter commonly referred as the AG's Report) consists of 171 typewritten pages separated with two broad report covers dates from March, 1951 to June, As per instructions, the AG's Report was reviewed and evaluated which met with some difficulty. The report came with only a transmittal letter and didn't come with an explanation sheet. Due to a lack of such a sheet, the two broad head ings, as well as general terminology, had to be literally interpreted.
Inconsistency and poor structure added to the difficulty of evaluating the report.
The report is assembled in the beginning with a collection of years then, in 1976 the report is seg mented into years, ending 1983. Each segment varies just enough to take on its own unique style which may be due to the report being assembled times by different individuals. These inconsistencies and poor structure vill be further addressed as this report progresses.
The review provoked a written response to 219 issues which is supported with documentation when available. These 219 issues go to address the major conflicts but does not offer a general critique of the Report. Ludicrous remarks such as, "Lucas traveling with John Doe" and "Lucas hitchhiking back to Maryland are not fully addressed.
The following points are made to illustrate disorganization, poor structure, confusing information as related in the AG's Report:
1. CONFESSIONS Under the broad heading "Confessions", cases appear arbitrarily and are interpreted to mean confessions by Lucas. Yet, many cases listed have no relationship to Lucas confessing to the offense. In fact, 87 cases appear on the confessions side of the AG's Report, along with confirmed cases, and no listing could located where Task Force records ever carried the 87 cases as cleared or confirmed. As an example, Delia Loera is showed under confessions on 03-02-82, with comment, "Homicide information Task Force Calendar and Daily Log", in the AG's Report, when in fact Lucas was listed as suspect only on the Task Force Travel The AG's Report occasionally, as noted on 08-15-78, makes a notation "Suspect only." This would make one believe that the AG's office is aware of the difference between a confirmed or cleared case and suspect only case giving more weight to the fact that The Attorney
Page 2 General's office intended for the suspect entries to be interpreted as confirmed cases.
REMOVED The term "removed" was used in relation with the confession column. Removed was interpreted to mean the case was no longer confirmed, If the Attorney General intended for the term to apply to his standards, then the removal is obviously correct.
authority of the source clearing the case, then in approximately 58 cases, the AG's Report was found to be in error.
ACCOMPLICE The word "accomplice" appears mainly in the confession column, A literal interpretation of the word causes numerous conflicts with Department records. At times, the report reflects, "Accomplice: Toole only." The assumption is that Toole was Lucas' only accomplice since Freida and Frank Powell appear frequently as accomplices. Department records, however, show in some cases that Toole was the only person considered responsible. As example, on 09-12-81, listed under the confession column, "Accomplice: Toole only", when in fact, Lucas has never been considered as responsible for this case in Task Force Records, or even listed as a suspect. Lucas was known to be in custody during this period. Toole, however, was listed as being responsible. Additionally, on 05-30-80, listed under the confessions column, "Accomplice: Ottis Toole only", when in fact, neither Lucas nor Toole were shown as responsible in Task Force Records.
Toole did appear in the Task Force Travel Log as a suspect only.
SKELETAL REMAINS In most cases, the AG's Report failed to address the issue of skeletal remains or decomposition of a body. Such information affects the interpretation of the date listed with the homicide information which is, in most cases, the date the body was discovered.
In some cases, the homicide entry date shows an immediate conflict with travel information leaving the reviewer the opinion Lucas was elsewhere on the date of homicide, when in fact, the date listed with the homicide entry has little relevance with the exact date of such offense.
AG's Report lis tes victim Robert Louie Hie with a notation, “Murdered in late September", which gives the impression that the skeletal and decomposition issue is being addressed which is not the case, In most circumstances, as previously mentioned, such victim status information is simply not stated, yet, the information was given tothe Attorney General's office and appears in the Task Force Synopsis.
unknown Blythe, 20 to 25 YOA Strangled: Raped anti mortem and postmortem." The Task Force Synopsis shows that "the victim's bones were scattered about the dessert" which is not mentioned in the AG's Report; such is misleading thus creating a false impression with the homicide date.
5. CLOSED CASES The basic phrase, "Case Never Closed" appears approximately 32 times in the AG's Report under "Information Developed Through Investigation", and apparently related to the homicide information listed. A closed status exists in only 10 of the cases involving Lucas since cases are only considered closes by court action. (Lucas has received court convictions in 11 cases, 1 of which is on appeal and is still considered not closed). Therefore, the term "Case Never Closed" could actually be applied to all but 10 of the Lucas court action cases; this inconsistent reporting projects a false sense of case status.
Numerous inaccuracies appear in the AG's Report which may be based, in part, on the fact that the AG's Staff relied ona Dallas Times Herald article dated 11-29-85, for some of its information. In approximately 81 separate cases, the AG's Report was wor ded the same, or very similarly, to information in the news article which lists 90 cases. Of the 58 occasions noted in the AG's Report as cases removed, when in fact the case had not been removed by the Task Force, 56 of the same cases appear in the news article as removed. The news article frequently used the statement "Case Never Closed". As previously noted, this is the same terminology used by the AG's Report on approximately 32 occasions.
to reflect information that Lucas and Toole were possibly together in 1978.
This would conflict with the Attorney General's own information which states Lucas and Toole met in Jacksonville on 02-10-79. According to the report, on 05-08-78, the following notation appears, "Lucas and Toole allegedly in Houston together." Also, according to the report, on 06-07-78, the following notation appears, "Toole working in Abilene, Texas, Toole claimed offense, Lucas nearby."
The AG's Report is a flawed document which is poorly structure, highly misleading, and very inconsistent. Without a complete over haul and reorganization the Department should avoid any association or credit for its publication.
Report is intended for law enforcement purposes only, and then only to clarify the AG's Report. The review has produced an objective and comprehensive evaluation of the material yet, with each reading minor errors have been detected and corrected. This would indicate this response is not perfect but is sufficient to withstand evaluation of the AG's Report.
Respectfully submitted, Cook Assistant Supervisor Texas Ranger Service Approved:
19/0 Attorney General's Report
8/31 Sarita Hughes Wade Kiser sold scrap in Philadelphia, Milford, DE PA. Paid to Lucas as referenced by Pollick-Abrams Inc. records of Kiser's.
Toole. (Husband of victim had since plead guilty to offense.)
D.p.s. Response Comment:
Unable to locate any information to indicate this offense was ever in any Task Force records either as a confirmed offense ora suspected A private defense attorney did interview Lucas concerning this offense and Lucas did confess. This, however, was not listed on Task Force documents as being confirmed because no law enforcement officer interviewed Lucas concerning this offense while in Task Force custody.
On 2-7-78, the victim departed from her residence in Gering, Nebraska, enroute to local ceramic hop and never returned. She was subsequently reported as 8 missing person.
On 4-15-78, her decapitated body vas discovered along 1-25 about two miles north of Wheatland, Wyoming. The victim had been left face down, under a rock over hang with several pieces of the over hang placed on the body. This location is approximately 90 miles from her A little more than six and one half years later, Lucas was shown one photograph taken of the victim prior to her disappearance and provided with a brief physical description. Within less than three minutes, Lucas described the area of the offense, the location and condition of the body almost perfectly.
There was no other mutilation or dismemberment. Only the person(s) involved could have provided all of these facts which matched a description of the victim's clothing.
On 9-27-84, Lucas was interviewed by officers. Lucas stated that Ottis Toole, Frank and Becky Powell had accompanied him from the time they picked up the victim along a highway and left her vehicle in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska.
proceeded to the Wheatland, Wyoming, area where they parked his car and and the victim went for a walk while the others waited
Lucas strangled her manually during sexual intercourse, and struck her in the head and then decapitated her using a knife with blade. Her body was placed under the rock over hang. Pieces of the over hang were then placed on top of the body.
Lucas stated he placed the head in a green garbage bag and reportedly discarded it along with the victim's clothing along 1-90 several miles into the state of Montana, None of these items have been recovered.
Ullense cleared by Sheriff David Schleve and Deputy Sheriff Jim Lawson, Nebraska.
Sheriff of Scotts bll County "Gering, Nebraska 69341 telefhone 436-6666
October 10, 1984 1 6 1884 Colonel James Adams, Director Texas Department of Public Safety Box 4087 Austin, Texas 78773 Dear Colonel Adams:
Over the last 65 years we have been investigating a missing person from our county. Two months after her disappearance, a nude female was found in Wyoming with her head missing. Because of a mix-up in the laboratory she was not identified for five years. We handled our case as homicide from the beginning. Approximately five months ago we requested to be put on the list to interview Mr. Henry Lucas. Sergeant Prince advised us to the possible Tenght of time to get in to see him and alot of general information about him. Sergeant Prince also stated that if we got into see Mr. Toole, he would do his best to work us in early.
After getting the run around in Florida for over five months, finally found a new contact in Leon County, florida. Sergeant Prince held true to his word and adjusted schedules immediately to allow us to interview what we called a real long shot. After showing Mr. Lucas a normal photograph of the victim, it took him two minutes and 13 seconds to convince me of his guilt. In the "Big Red Country" of Nebraska, we pride ourselves of providing outstanding hospitality to visiting law enforcement officers. Sir, I must take my hat off to you and your organization. They taught me what the term "Texas Hospitality" is all about. You should be extremely proud of Sergeant Bob Prince and Ranger Clayton Smith. We could not have asked for any better treatment anywhere. These gentlemen are an outstanding example of what a law enforcement officer should be like. From the time to arrival at the airport until we left again, the red carpet was out andl thank
Without their professional approach to this situation, many of these homicides would have never been solved.
must also commend you as a agency head to have had the insight to take charge of this situation. It would have been very easy for the "ball" to have been dropped once a couple of local homicides were solved. Instead you developed a task force concept to take it as far as the need is. The families of the victims should owe you a gift of gratitude since some of their grief about what happened to their love ones can be put tg rest finally. I know that own you this gratitude as does the Stella McLean family. The people of the great state of Texas should be extremely proud of you and your fine organization. It goes without saying, if our humble, small organization could ever be of assistance to you, all you have to do is ask. Again, thank you for professional assistance of Sergeant Bob Prince and Ranger Clayton Smith. By the way, after six and a half years, we ended up solving a missing
Sheriff of Scott County "Gering, Nebraska 69341 Telephone 436-6666
page two person and Wyoming got a cleared homicide, 1 remain Respectfully Yours, Gly David Schleve Sheriff ORSmjw
Sheriff of Scotts Bluff County "Gering, Nebraska 69341 Telephone 436-6666
January 2, 1986 Sergeant Prince State of Texas Denartment of Public Safety Austin, Dear "ob This letter is written concerning Henry Lucas and his involvement in the death of.Stella McLean'on or about February 1978. As you are aware, Sheriff David Schleve andl travelled to Georgetown, Texas on September 27, 1984 and interviewed Lucas this matter.
Asa result of the interview, we feel confident that took part in the crime regardless of the information vel oned by the Dallas Times-Herald.
case (as the body was discovered just north of Wheatland, Wyoming) the original missing person report was filed with this office and the actual location of the crime scene has never been determined.
Until proven otherwise beyond any reasonable doubt, will stand behind the confession of Henry Lucas.
Sincerely mean Jim Lawson Tnvestigator File 79-0227
1978 Attorney General's Report
6/3 Comments: Ballistics eliminate Louis Wagner removed. cal. rim fire belonging to Lucas as Parrish, LA Lab. Grand jury rejected confession.
Shot once in back with Robbed, 1968 Ford 4-door sedan (green).
D.p.s. Response Comments:
and confirmed Lucas was responsible for homicide. Subsequently, a Grand Jury has heard information concerning the offense and took no action. The officers involved in the investigation, however, still believe Lucas is responsible.
Task Force understanding is that Ballistics has not been performed as indicated in the Attorney General's report, therefore, the cal.
fire belonging to Lucas has not been confirmed or eliminated ballistically. There is a question concerning the make-up of rim fire ammunition, The cal. rim fire ammunition is only commercially manufactured in lead bullets, and the victim was killed with a jacketed bullet. Jacketed bullets can be reloaded however as indicated in attached letter from Old Winfree Gun Shop
te: 6-3-78 Location: Covington, St. Tammany Louis Wagner, 26 Louisiana Deputy Sheriff On 6-3-78, at PAL 1:30 AM., the victim left the Sheriff's Office Covington, Louisiana. He was off duty and traveling in his own vehicle.
same date, a State Trooper who was passing by found the victim on the side of the road, fatally shot one time in the back. Weapon used was a cal. rim fire.
Victim was fully dressed, lying face down. He had traveled on foot approximately 265 feet from where he was shot to the final position of body.
ssi as the victim's personal firearm, unknown caliber, his watch and billfold, bis pickup. articles from his billfold were found scattered over several miles from the location of his body to where his pickup was abandoned and partially stripped. The battery cab les had been cut, and the battery and gas tank removed. Found beside the pickup was the empty gas tank and a sip hon hose.
The glove box door had been removed and the vehicle had been heavily damaged from an obvious beating with a tire tool. The lights and windows had been broken out.
On 12-7 48 while Lucas was being interviewed by Jay Monroe, Louisiana he described details of this Via, Detective Sergeant, offense and stated he had killed the man shortly after killing an old woman at her residence, however, Lucas did not remember where the offense Occur red, and Via was unaware of the offense had occurred approximately 300 miles from his jurisdiction.
Ata later date, Via, while conferring with St.
Tammany Sheriff's Officers, learned of the above described offense and remem bered details which Lucas had given him. Via had videotaped his previous session with videotape for the St. Tammany officers, who Lucas and played the were convinced Lucas was describing this offense.
On another date, Toole described to Buddy Terry, Inves tigators for Jacksonville, Florida details of an offense of which Terry had no knowledge, and Toole did not know the location where it had occurred, therefore, Terry had not contacted St. Tammany
On 4-18-84, St. Tammany officers and Via intervi ewe Lucas and he gave officers exact details of the offense. He stated he, Toole, Becky and Frank Powell on the side of the roadway and had Becky flag Stopped down the next incoming vehicle by Standing in the roadway waving her arms. The purpose was to rob occupants of the first vehicle that stopped.
badge was clearly visible on his shirt pocket. The victim briefly talked to Toole, then turned to talk to Lucas. As the victim turned his back to Toole, Toole shot him in the back and then the victim started running. Toole chased the victim and continued shooting until the gun was empty. Lucas stated the victim fell face down and his watch and billfold were removed from his body.
Lucas stated they took the victim's vehicle, removed the gas tank, siphoned the gas from it, and put the gas in the vehicle they were driving, a 1968 Ford 4 door, dark green in color, with Maryland license plates.
Lucas stated they then cut the battery cab les with bolt cut ters, removed the battery, and then beat the pickup with a tire tool.
Sheriff patrick Canulette Sheriff and ex-officio tax collector
April 15, 1985 PARISH OF ST. TAMMANY Bob Prince, Sergeant Texas Rangers, County Courthouse Georgetown, Texas 78626 Dear Bob:
Again I would like to take the opportunity to thank you, Sheriff Boutwell, and other members of the Task Force for your assistance to my Department in our investigations into four unsolved murders which occured from 1978 to 1983. The solution of these crimes could not have been accomplished without the cooperation of all involved.
feelings and reliability and credit ability of Henry Lucas, which Sheriff Canulette and Chief Laird are of the same opinion. Lucas supplied me with numerous details of circumstances on the four murder cases that only the perpetrator could have known and details that were not known by investigators that have been proven.
Once again, thanks. IfI can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact me.
Detective edgab mcgehee phone 4141 phone 643-2121 post Office Box 1120 post Office Box 1229
Following will bea synopsis of each offense which has been conf by suspect Henry Lucas since irmed and cleared the inception of the DPS Homicide Task the dates stated above. Force between 29 Date: 10-12-76 Location: North Carolina Victim: Carol Ann Lane, 22 On October 9, 1976, at approximately 9:00 pm., the victim left her Norfolk hitchhiking in the home in Oceanview area. Victim's body was 1976, the shoulders found Oct. 125 of a highway in a wooded area.
clothed wearing Victim was found fully a black Sweater, red jeans and white stabbed 19 times shoes. Victim had been in the chest, back. neck and head with a blunt object, and Victim had been struck on the had also been choked. There was no sign of a struggle at the scene. There was evidence of rape, then to edress before death. victim had been allowed Lucas gave correct directions as body had been dumped. to the location where the Lucas also described victim's the missing the nature of wounds and desc pocket book which he had the taken. Also, Lucas correctly type knife used. identified Offense cleared by Wise, North Carolna State Bureau of Investigation.
General Court of Justice Office of the District Attorney H.RUM
202 east colonial Avenue elizabeth City, North carouna 27909
February 13, 1986 Texas Ranger Bob Prince Post Office Box 4087 Austin, Texas 78773 RE: Henry Lee Lucas Investigation Homicide Carol Ann Lane, Victim 1976 Currituck County, North Carolina Dear Sir:
Our investigation is still open and pending with regard to the above referenced case. Based upon the investigation by former SBI Agent Lennie Wise, and the defendant's confession, Henry Lee Lucas is the prime suspect in this case in spite of any later recantation or denials of guilt.
cases in Texas, we will seek a final disposition of our case. We do not wish to take any action presently that could interfere with any proceedings in Texas.
If we can be of any further service, please do not hesitate to call upon us.
Assistant District Attorney SBI Agent Godley
1978 Attorney General's Report
Confessions information developed tiirough Investigation
11/15 Frank and Frieda Powell present in Janet Callies school. Toole working and cashed
(Removed) payroll check in Jacksonville, FL.
Grand Island, NE Comment: Case never closed.
Accomplice: Ottis Toole.
D.p.s. Response Comments:
gave the Task Force clearance information that Lucas was responsible this homicide. A letter dated 12-12-85 was received wherein the above investigating officer states that Lucas is still considered responsible for this homicide.
Victim: Janet Callies, 40 The victim was last seen in a bar in Grand Island, Nebraska in a rural area.
A body was never found.
On 9-26-84, officers interviewed Lucas in reference to her disappearance, lucas described the location of the bar and pointed out the same
He also correctly described the victim and correctly described the location of the apartment complex where he stated they went and where he and had sex with her. After leaving the apartment, he said they drove about 25 miles to a roadside park area near St. Paul, Nebraska, where Toole strangled the victim with a telephone cord which they had in the vehicle.
Lucas stated they then buried her 50 to 75 yards from the park using an army shovel to bury her 2 or 3 feet deep. Lucas recalled the victim had told him that she was divorced and having custody procedures on three daughter which has been verified by the officers.
Grand Island Howard bacon gary piel
Grand Island, Nebraska
Telephone 308-381-8400 December Sgt. Bob Prince Texas Rangers Department of Public Safety Austin, RE: Janet Callies Grand Island, Nebraska
To Whom it May Concern:
On November 15, 1985 Janet Callies of this city was reported to our department as a missing person. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance were extremely suspicious, and from the inception of this report this department felt she had met with foul play. Neither her nor her body, to this date, have ever been found, nor has the vehicle she would have been driving at the time of her disappearance been located.
There was no information received by this department to change status of this case until February of 1984, at which time department supplied information to the Task Force working the Henry Lee Lucas case.
We were later notified that Henry Lee Lucas had been interviewed reference the Janet Callies disappearance and he had positively identified her from a photo as being a person that he and Otis Toole had met with, kidnapped, ultimately killed and stole her vehicle.
Asa result of that preliminary interview with Mr. Lucas, I personally traveled to Georgetown, Texas on September 26, 1985 and had occasion to personally interview Henry Lee Lucas.
During the course of this interview Henry Lee Lucas confessed this officer that he and Otis Toole had, in fact, met up with the identified female, ultimately killed her in an adjoining county and buried her body.
Page He supplied this officer with information concerning Janet Callies and the location of her disappearance, which was not contained in the case file, and absolutely no person could have, at any time, leaked said information to Mr. Lucas.
Two examples were that Mr. Lucas informed us that the woman was separated from her husband and was having problems with him and that she had three children. Mr. Lucas volunteered this information during my interview with him and the facts were known by this officer to be accurate and they were also not contained within the department case file on this case.
He also supplied me, during the interview, with a detailed description of the location of the bar which he and Otis Toole had observed the female subject leaving just prior to their kidnapping her at gunpoint.
tavern was unique and he could have only been describing the tavern where Janet Callics was last seen prior to her disappearance.
Based on this officer's interview with Henry Lee Lucas, upon my return to Grand Island, the Grand Island Police Department closed the case of Janet Callies as far as her being a missing person.
The family members were informed by this department that she was, in fact, deceased and, in our opinion, had died as a result of having come into contact with Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole.
Efforts were made by this department to locate the buried body of Janet Callies, but the area described by Mr. Lucas where the body was buried, some 25 miles North of Grand Island, is a rather large area to search for a six-year-old grave site. Our efforts to discover the body were negative.
the article being publicized by the Dallas Times Herald, I have only this to say. I was interviewed by phone by an individual who informed me that he was a reporter from the Dallas Times Herald. I informed that individual that it was my opinion that Henry Lee Lucas and Otis Toole had, in fact, met with and killed Janet Callies and that the only part of our case that remained open cr unsolved was that Janet Callies was still missing, as we had not as yet located her body. I specifically recall telling the reporter that I did not believe Henry Lee Lucas' reca nting of all of his confessions and that it was my personal belief that he was responsible for the disappeara nce of Janet Callies and that the only part of our case that remained open was the fact that we had never located her body.
Lt. Ward Criminal Investigation Division
1979 Attorney General's Report
10/4 Frank and Frieda Powell Mazie Lee Seymore school. Toole Working and sent in cashed
Lucas working and was issued Inc. check for
Shot once with Accomplice:
D.p.s. Response Conflict:
Possible inaccurate work records shows Lucas working in Jacksonville, Florida on the date of this offense.
Lucas and Ottis Toole 1-24-85 through 4-25-85 The following is a synopsis of each offense which has been confirmed and cleared by suspects Henry Lucas and Ottis Toole as determined from information coming to the DPS Homicide Task Force. The certainty of clearance of each offense is unknown to writer, and no recommendations are made as to their authentic ity.
Date: 10-4-79 The ictim was working at her husband's business at convenience store us next door to their house in Donaldsville, Georgia. The victim had been forced into the business restroom and shot with a 30 caliber marlin rifle.
An undetermined amount of cash was taken from the cash register. worth of gas was also taken. The victim had been shot once on her right side. The victim was found
Lucas directed officers to the crime scene and described the victim.
identified the correct weapon that was used and the location in the store that she was killed. Lucas stated that Toole was with him.
Georgia officers also talked with Ottis Toole who confirmed that he was with Lucas on this offense.
To Whom it May Concern:
The following described homicide occured in Southwest Georgia, Seminole County on 10-04-79, at approximately 12:00 PM. Mrs. Mazie Lee Seymour, age 56, owner operator of Ranch 49 convenience store, Highway in Seminole County, was shot through the side with a caliber bullet, resulting in her death. Stolen at time of the incident was approximately worth of gasoline and an undetermined amount of money from store receipts. The victim's body was found shortly after the incident in the bathroom of the aforementioned business.
Steve Davis interviewed Henry Lee Lucas in Georgetown, Texas, at the Williamson County Jail in reference to this homicide. During this interview, Lucas admitted being at the above-mentioned store with his companion and long-time friend, Ottis Elwood Toole. Lucas further admitted that Toole shot the aforementioned victim and left her body in the bathroom of this business. Lucas further admitted that he received a portion of the money stolen during the incident, and obtaining a tank of gasoline from the pumps of the business.
Lucas could not identify the victim through a photographic lineup due to the fact that he claims that he did not enter the business at the time of the incident; however, Lucas identified a picture of the business through a photographic lineup. Lucas also pointed out ona Georgia road map the location of this business as being located on Highway of Donalsonville, Georgia. Lucas further claimed that his knowledge of the actual killing of the victim was solely that of the information related to him by Toole after the incident occured.
On April 4, 1985, Henry Lucas, in custody of two Texas Rangers and several agents, arrived in Donalsonville, Georgia, at approximately 3:00 PM. At this time, Sheriff Jerry Godby and Special Agent Steve Davis met with Lucas and these officers. Lucas directed Sheriff Godby and these officers directly from the center of Donalsonville, Ga. to Highway South, and then directly to the crime scene of this incident. At this scene, Lucas was again interviewed by Sheriff Godby and Special Agent Davis, and again Lucas admitted to his participation into the homicide of the victim, and Toole's commission of the killing. (Note: Sheriff Godby advises that both the aforementioned interviews were video audio recorded after Lucas was advised of his Miranda Rights.)
Case no. 79-10-004 Date of incident: 10-04-79
TIME OF INCIDENT: Approximately 12:00 PM.
LOCATION: Ranch 49 Convenience Store Highway
Donalsonville, Georgia VICTIM: Mazie Lee Seymour, Age Special Agent Steve Davis interviewed Ottis Elwood Toole at FDLE headquarters in Tallahassee, Fl. in reference to the investigation. During this interview, Toole identified a photograph of this victim through a photographic lineup, he also identified the business through a photographic lineup. Toole admitted that he shot and killed this victim in this store, and that Henry Lee Lucas was with him at the time of this incident.
admitted that he alone entered the business while Lucas moved their vehicle away from the store.
Prior to these interviews of Lucas and Toole, Sheriff Godby and Special Agent Davis, nor any of their respective department representatives provided the Texas or Florida authorities with details concerning this homicide.
only after the interview of Lucas and Toole, in which significant details such as the location of the killing within this business, the theft of the gasoline from the business, the identification of the victim and the business, through photographic lineups, that Sheriff Godby provided Texas and Florida with a synopsis of this crime.
My department and community would like to congratulate the Texas and Florida authorities in displaying their professionalism in assisting in this investigation by arranging ample opportunities for interviews with Lucas and Toole without direct involvement with this investigation. The victim's family has expressed their gratitude to these departments for light ening burden of an unsolved homicide during a six-year time period.
Due to the aforementioned facts and being personally involved with the interviews of Lucas and Toole, and personal contact with Texas and Florida authorities, it is incredible to me that the news media or anyone else could possibly question the validity of this investigation. The criticism by the news media and other persons concerning the validity and credibility of the interview of Lucas and Toole are and unjustified. They also cast a shadow on my pers onl ability, my professional ability, and the integrity of myself and my department, along with other officers throughout the country who have interviewed Lucas and Toole.
Following will bea synopsis of each offense which has been confirmed and cle are by suspect Henry Lucas since the inception of the OPS Homicide Task Force the dates stated above. between 11-10-79 Location: Livingston County, NY.
Victim: unidentified proximately The victim was willingly picked up in a central pur on street Philadelphia about week prior to her death. The victim apparently traveled with Lucas, Toole, Becky and Frank Powell. The victim was found on the side of the road on Route 5, in Caledonia, New York, having been shot once in the forehead and shot once in the back with a 38or 357. The victim had not been sexually assaulted and fully clothed. The-victim was stripped of all identification.
District attorney's Office Livingston County 2 Court Street geneseo. New York
60 Minutes 518 57th Street New York, New York Harry Reasoner Dear No doubt the smarter sit quietly and let the dust settle on the Henry Lucas matter. Asa matter of conscience, however, I feel your report which aired on December 29, 1985 presented grossly unfair image of the Texas Rangers.
Certainly, vour report was completely inconsistent with the behavior of Rangers that I dealt with in October of 1984 during contacts I with them and with Henry Lee Lucas, As District Attorney of Livingston York, County, New I had been concerned with the body of a voun found a few woman rows into a corn field on November She was not identified and remains 10, 1979.
unidentified to this date. She had been shot twice.
very active investigation alleys up many dead ends. Henry Lee Lucas was pect a minimum earlier than 1984 but was not considered prior to that time. seriously In the autumn of 1984 personnel Erie County, New York (Buffalo) and the New York State ice met with lienry Lee Lucas relative to matters in that jurisdiction. They had some contact with Livingst personnel relative to our "Jane on County Doe" case and briefly explored our case with Lucas. Thercafter they informed us
December 31, Page 2 they were discounting Lucas' involvement their matters but felt he had more hard information on our matter. It was thereafter determined that Major John York of the Livingston County Sheriff's Department and myself would travel to Georgetown, Texas to interview Lucas. We made arrangements and eventually met with him on October 29, 1984. Our contact with the Texas Rangers was a Sergeant Bob Prince and, to a lesser extent, a Clayton Smith.
Prince and the Erie County people had warned us before that Lucas was capable of confessing to anything and we should test any statement he made. Specifically, the Texas Rangers, and Bob Prince in particular, were anxious to vise us that they were not endorsing everything Lucas but that we should be careful to check his claims and look for independent verification.
Lucas was disgusting to deal with. Even without a warning I believe anyone would want not to credit Lucas with more homicides, simply because he so wanted credit.
own case Lucas' story checked out, with Otis Toole's in Florida. They had, as best we could determine, not had contact with each other. Lucas told us things not known to people he had had previous interviews with and he did not just play off us. We were made aware of an employ ment record that suggests Lucas was not in New York at the time of the homicide by the Texas Rangers. We investigated and believe the employment record was fraudulent. Criminal cases are not normally such that you reach absolute truths or establish facts to a certainty. That is part of the territory. However, this is not to say that a best effort isn't appropriate.
to the admittedly limited extent of contact with the Texas Rangers on only one "Henry Lucas case", I found the Rangers I dealt with to be completely professional, careful and giving a best effort.
They were not overly anxious to see our case closed and specifically mentioned that they didn't care whether we
December 31, 1985 Page 3 closed the case or not. The Livingston County Sheriff's Department did not close the case because the victim was not identified and there was no point in proceeding with a prosecution of Lucas. The Texas Rangers were at all times, in my dealings, completely careful, thorough and professional. Your presentation inconsistent with my experience. was very Very truly yours, Theodore Wiggins, District Attorney
1979 Attorney General's Report
Information developed 'hrough Investigation
Donaver Hanna (Removed) Arlington, TX Shot with pistol.
Vehicle: 73 Olds Station Wagon.
Accomplice: Ottis Toole, Frieda Powell, Frank Powell.
D.p.s. Response Comments:
Task Force with information that confirmed Lucas as responsible for homicide.
Attorney General's report states this case has been removed and case was never closed. In December, 1985, Captain Rhoten verbally verified Lucas still responsible. Attached letter from Assistant Police Chief Marion Rettig will further document confirmed status.
Homicide Task Force between Date: 12-22-79 Location: Arlington, Victim: Donaver Purvis Hanna, On 12-22-79, at approximately 10:50 pm., robbery-murder occurred on St., Arlington, Texas. The clerk had been taken into a walk-in coo ler and shot. The victim received a gun shot wound to the chest, one to the left side of the head and one to the left side of the neck. The weapon was Approximately in cash had been removed from cash register.
On 11-27-84, Henry Lucas directed officers to the location of the store where the murder occurred. Lucas stated he, Ottis Elwood Toole, Freida and Frank Powell drove into Arlington in a 1973 Oldsmobile station wagon looking for a place to rob needed Boney. Lucas stated they pulled into the above store and he and Toole went in and took the clerk to the coo ler where Lucas shot the victim with caliber Ruger pistol. Lucas stated they took approximately from cash register. Lucas stated he shot the victim three times, twice in the left side of the head and once in the chest. When he led officers back to the store, he correctly pointed out where the counter and cash Tegister had been even though at the present time, they in a different location. He also correctly pointed out where portable buildings had Previously been across the street. Lucas also stated that the victim walked with a limp. Officers contacted the victim's brother who stated the victim did drag his foot when he walked, that would appear he walked with a limp.
City of Arlington Box 231 Zip Code 76010 Arlington Phone
(Metro) 265-3311 January 13, 1986 TX Department of Public Safety Ft. Fisher Box 6167 Waco, Texas Dear Sgt. Prince, In response to your request, I will clarify my thoughts related to Henry Lee Lucas and his possible involvement in two homicides in the City of Arlington. I have not talked to Lucas and my impressions are based upon information supplied to me by Captain Dennis Rhoten of this department.
Henry Lee Lucas possessed a great deal of information about the circumstances surrounding the death of Donover Hanna during an apparent robbery. I believe the extent of that information would lead any reasonable person to believe Lucas either committed the offense, was present at the time another committed the offense, received detailed information regarding the offense from the actual offender, or received information from some other knowledge able source.
It has been suggested that Lucas received information from police sources eager to clear unsolved cases. I cannot speak to, nor willI speculate on, the merits of such allegations arising from cases outside this jurisdiction; however, it is important to note that, in the Hanna case, Lucas apparently possessed information that was unavailable to the investigating officers.
Lucas informed investigators that the victim walked with a slight limp. Captain Rhoten subsequently contacted relatives of the deceased and learned that he did indeed have a physical disability which caused a slight limp.
Sgt. Bob Prince Page 2 January 13, 1986 I might further add that members of this agency discussed the Lucas case with the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office shortly after his confession. A decision was then made that we would pursue criminal charges at that time.
Captain Rhoten continued to work on the case and made unsuccessful attempts to interview Ottis Toole to confirm Lucas' statements.
years of law enforcement, I have worked with the Texas Rangers on numerous occasions and have always been impressed by the professional demeanor they displayed upon those occasions. I have no reason to suspect anything less in this matter.
Respectfully, MAS Marlon Rettig Deputy Chief
1980 Attorney General's Report
Roy Wayne Hallmark (Removed) Galveston County, Stabbed 27 times.
Accomplice: Ottis Toole.
D.p.s. Response Comments:
In December, 1985, Detective Millo orally stated their position has not changed, and sent the attached letter which further corroborates that the case was cleared with Lucas being responsible. Attached Questionnaire mailed to ‘Sgt. Leo Singleton in March, 1985 was returned with further confirmation that the case had been cleared.
Date: 2-23-80 Location: Galveston, Texas Victim: Roy Wayne Hallmark, 29 On 2-23-80 at 8:12 pm., officers received a call of a deceased laying in the driveway of a service station in a residence-business area of Galveston across the street from Catholic Church. The body was fully clothed laying on his back. The victim had received 27 stab wounds to the face, arms, chest and upper leg including 6 defensive wounds. It was later determined that the fatal wound was to the heart. All the wounds appeared to have come from the knife which was not left at the scene. Investigators revealed the victim was stabbed in an alley behind service station as trail of blood led to a driveway where his body was found.
rant type and had numerous arrests for theft related offenses and narcotics. The victim was last seen before death at a rescue mission Houston. The victim was a white male, 29 years of age, and 150 On 7-5-84, officers interviewed Lucas and Lucas stated he and Toole ahd picked up man in Houston ata Mission. They had left the body across the street froma Catholic Church. Lucas stated Toole started stabbing the victim in the vehicle in an alley. then the victim began running with Toole chasing him and after the victim fell in the driveway of the service station, Toole repeatedly stabbed hin.
Lucas described the victim a white male in his late to early and about 160 lbs. wearing blue jeans and work shirt.
On 8-15-84, Lucas was taken to Galveston where he pointed out the Church first and then pointed out the alley where Toole started stabbing the victim.
Galveston Police, Department Bor 568 Galveston, Teras 77553 Telephone 766-2174 December 12th, 1985 Sgt Bob Prince Texas Rangers Waco, Bob:
The article in the Dallas Times Herald, dated Friday, November 29th, 1985 has a mis-quote.
I did not tell the reporter that we reopened two murder investigations.
I told the reporter that we strongly feel that Lucas committed the offenses. 1 told him that we do not close a murder investigation until that person is charged and convicted.
I told the reported that we have a statement from Lucas but we do not have any evidence to prove Lucas committed the crime.
I was then asked if Lucas could have committed the crime, his wife said that Lucas had never left Maryland. I told reporter that Lucas said he murdered the people and the wife says that he couldn't because he was in Maryland.
I said, I believe what Lucas said because he knew things plus he took us to the crime scenes. I told the reporter that if he (Lucas) didn't committ the offenses, then someone would have had to tell him all about the cases.
The reporter then asked if we furnished the Ranger Task Force any information about these cases prior to talking with Lucas.
if Lucas had even been in Galveston. The task force contacted us and said that Lucas has stated he committed crimes in Galveston. We then made arrangement to go to Georgetown and talk with Lucas. After Lucas told us of the crimes we then researched our murder investigations to see if we had any similar to what he had told us. We then made arrangements to get Lucas to Galveston where he took us to the crime scene areas. I told the reporter that Lucas had not been told of the crimes or showed pictures of the people prior to coming Galveston.
I then informed the reporter that the task force had requested a brief summary of the crime and dates that the offense occurred. also told the reporter that the task force had explained to us that they were attempting to keep track of Lucas's whereabouts. I told the reporter that the task force had supplied us with a list of dates and places Lucas may have been. We were told this information is not confirmed. This was information they had received from other agencies.
Bob, this reporter called me on the phone one day. From the questions he was asking, I got the feeling that he was insinuating that the police departments had told the task force of the crimes and that the task force had questioned Lucas, showed him photos or told Lucas about the crimes.
I hope this clarified the article to some degree.
Sincerely, hea 200 are Millo, Criminal gation Div.
Galveston Police Department
Galveston Police Department PO. Bor 568 Galveston, Texas 77555 Telephone 766-2174 March 27, Lucas Homicide Task Force Williamson County Sheriff's Office Georgetown, Dear Sir:
In assistance with Department of Public Safety, Texas Rangers, our agency has cleared four(4) homicides in our investigative interviews with Henry Lee Lucas. Our investigation involved two(2) visits by Lucas totaling approximately thirty six(36) hours of investigation.
Susan Bowers, 12, killed, 5/21/77 James Cox, M/W, 25, killed, 2/1/77 Roy Hailmark, M/W, 29, killed, 2/23/80 Luis Leger Jr., M/W, 24, killed, 11/25/77 It would be extremely difficult to establish an approximate cost factor as since the discovery of Lucas. We've had two(2) detectives working almost daily evaluating past homicides with Lucas and Toole's profiles along their other daily case assignment. I would like to sayI agree with you that Lucas's availability under the present conditions is a major factor working more effectively and efficiently toward solving past homicides ing Henry Lee Lucas.
Our agency would like to continue working with your department as Lucas has provided us with information involving Ottis Toole in other similar cases which is three(3) other homicides and the arson of a hotel fire where eight person were killed in Galveston.
Since Sgt. Leo Singleton Criminal Investigation Division
1980 Attorney General's Report
8/14 Toole working in Jacksonville, Bernice Harris Lucas sold 820 pounds of scrap Elmore County, AL metal in Jacksonville, FL.
D.p.s. Response Conflict:
Attorney General's report shows apparent conflict. Report shows Lucas sold scrap metal on and around the date of this homicide and abduction to Commercial Metals, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida. The following metal records dates are the ones discussed herein:
8-12-30 Signed Henry Lucas, but has the appearance of a forgery 8-13-80 Signed Freida Powell 8-14-80 Signed Henry Lucas, but has the appearance of a forgery 8-15-80 Signed Freida Powell The location where the victim disappeared is approximately 300 miles the scrap metal sales site, and since the victim's disappearance occurred shortly after midnight on 8-14-80, it would seem conceivable that could have traveled to the abduction and homicide site in spite of the Scrap metal records information. Alabama authorities have been notified of the possible conflict by Task Force for their evaluation and follow-up investigation.
Wetumpka, Alabama, indicates that she intends to prosecute this homicide at a later date. The letter is dated 4-26-85.
Bernice Hollon Harris, The victim had been missing from the Millbrook area after leaving her work at the Majik Mart at 12:30 am. on 8-14-80. The victim was last seen wearing dark blue pants, a blue sleeve less Pullover shirt and a Majik Mart jacket. The victim's disabled vehicle was found out of gas on the normal route to her residence.
On Saturday evening, August 16, 1980, at approximately 6:30 pm., the victim's body was discovered over an embankment and partially in a pond of water located off of Widow Home Road in Elmore County, Alabama. The victim was lying face down with part of her head in the water. The victim had been strangled with an electrical cord found around her neck. The victim's pants zip per was down and the top button was missing. It appeared that the body may have been dragged about 20 feet from the road. Also found at the scene was numerous Budweiser beer cans.
On 10-9-84, Lucas was interviewed by Elmore County officers concerning this case.
Lucas admitted the murder of this victim. Lucas correctly described the victim's jewelry, purse and the crime scene. Lucas stated they drank Budweiser beer.
Lucas correctly described her blouse, kind of pants, and shoes. Lucas also stated that the victim had told her of her domestic troubl es with her husband which was true as they were separated. Lucas correctly located the victim's vehicle which he said
lucas described the wire used for strangulation as being a short electrical that previously had alligator clips on each end (which he stated he used wiring around burglar alarms).
Office of Bistrict Attorney Nineteenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama 208-267-2237
Williams, post Office drawer 401 Alabama
April 26, 1985 Sgt. Bob Prince Williamson County Sheriff's Office 312 Main Street Georgetown, Texas 78626 Re: Henry Lee Lucas Dear Sgt. Prince:
the above named subject for kidnapping and murdering a woman named Bernice Harris. Her body was found on August 16, 1980 in Millbrook, Alabama and the State of Alabama had no leads whatsoever until Lucas confessed to the murder. The officers from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation who were sent to interview Lucas along with the Sheriff of Elmore County, Sidney Thrash were sure enough of the truth of his confession to recommend that the case be presented to a grand jury.
have personally viewed the video of the interview and am convinced that there is no way that he could have possibly known the details that he knew if he had not committed the murder. The Grand Jury was also sure enough of the facts to return an indictment.
I have complete confidence in the investigation that was conducted in this case and intend to prosecute this case if we can get the subject back to Alabama.
have any questions concerning our position in this matter or if our office can ever be of any assistance to you, please feel free to call. I appreciate all of the help that you have given us in this case.
Sincerely, de Clardy Williams, Assistant District Attorney Ted Payne
On 10-4-80, at approximately 3:00 am., the victim was last seen walking 27th Street in City of Milwaukee, an area frequented by prostitutes.
Body of victim found on 10-5-80, at approximately 3:20 pm., about 25 miles north of Milwaukee in rural area in Ozaukee County near Grafton, Wisconsin, 1 1/2 east ofl 43 and 1/2 mile west of the west shore line of Lake Michigan.
The body was found nude down to just below the knee where blue jeans and panties had been pulled down and also still clad in knee socks. The victim had a tattoo of a small flower with 4 leaves on the right wrist.
Victim also had a tattoo of skull with a rose on a stem held by teeth of the skull located on her left shoulder.
The body had numerous stab and laceration wounds. Her death was caused by a stab wound to the right side of the neck which lace rated an artery.
throat was also cut. There was a large number of lacerations running in all directions on her back, however, the wounds were superficial.
Wounds were made both anti-mortem and post-mortem. Victim appeared to have been raped and also had experienced anal rape evidenced by recent tears in the rectum muscle.
body was moved approximately 25 to 30 feet after the stab wounds occurred, the body'e final resting place.
On 6-12-84, officers interviewed Lucas at which time Lucas described the homicide well as described the location of the wounds on the body and type of knife used, Lucas also described most of the clothing which was found on or near the body. Also, he drew a map of the scene and area leading up to the scene and stated that it was approximately of a mile from the main traveled roadway, when the actual distance vas just over of a mile.
Fernando perez, Sheriff County of ozaukee Office of The Sheriff
Telephone 284-5575 or 377-5820
129 West Main Street Port Washington, Wisconsin 53074
in response to your inquiry about our homicide HENRY LEE LUCAS has confessed to committing. This homicide case is that of a white female by the name of BETH RENEE UMOLAC, who was found deceased shortly after her demise on October After numerous reviews of both the video tape interview which was conducted myself and taped interview conducted by you, and reviewing the facts of the PUselt, reporting officer believes that HENRY LEE LUCAS remains our number one uspect in this homicide case.
LUCAS knew many facts of the case which only the party responsible for the act would know. His description of the area which included road conditions and layout of structure and particular items in the area; his knowledge of the inflicted fatal wounds and other wounds on the deceased and how they occurred, all fit our homicide. LUCAS appears to have too much knowledge about our homicide. Although he could have read about the case in a news article, the knowledge he had only have been available to a party that was at the scene itself.
Our agency has been following the articles as best we can in the Dallas Harold Newspaper and even in their accounts of where LUCAS TOOLE were on dates in 1980, (re: news article of Sunday, April 14, 1985) no one is able to account tor his possible whereabouts between September 30, 1980 and November The status of our case remains open, for as any police officer knows, the case is never closed until the suspect in the matter is brought to trial and convicted the offense he is charged
Our agency again, wishes to thank you and your Task Force for all the information you have supplied in the past. I feel this complete matter was handled in a very professional manner.
Continued success and Happy Holidays to you, your family and your agency.
Respectfully, Fernando Allan Woda, Detective
1980 Attorney General Report
10/22 Frank and Frieda Powell present Unknown school. Toole working
(Removed) Jacksonville. Toole working in Tonopah, Jacksonville, FL. Lucas signed to 51 YOA Food Stamp program documents.
Four gunshot Body found this date. Comment:
wounds to head. Case never closed.
D.p.s. Response Comments:
Division of Investigation, provided the Task Force with clearance information with Lucas being responsible.
The Attorney General's report shows the case has been removed, which is incorrect. As late as 2-7-86, Agent Compston gave verbal confirmation that Lucas is still considered probably responsible for homicide.
Letter dated 2-13-86 from Nevada Division of Investigation is attached.
Also attached is Questionnaire mailed Compston in March, 1985 which was returned with further confirmation that the case had been cleared.
CONFLICT: No conflict. Metal records from Jacksonville, Florida indicate Lucas sold scrap metal on 10-21-80. Since this body was partially decomposed, this would seem to somewhat negate this conflict.
bea synopsis of each offense which has been con ripe since firmed and cleared the inception of the DPS Homicide Task the dates stated above. Force between Body Found 10-22- 80 Loca age 50-55 Partly decomposed, Victim had received Nevada. Body was confirmed by John Com four gunshot wounds pston, Nevada Divisi to the head. Homicide 11-29-83. on of Investigation, Offense cleared
Department of motor vehicles and Public Safety Division of Investigation
555 Wright Way Carson City, Nevada 89711-0100 February 13, 1986 Sgt. Bob Prince Texas Rangers Box 4087 Austin, TX 78773 Dear Sgt. Prince:
On February 7, 1986, Investigator John Compston received a call from Texas Ranger Clayton Smith regarding the status of two Nevada cases which Henry Lucas had previously admitted committing. One was identified as John Doe Fallon and one as John Doe Nye. Both of these cases have been placed on an status because the identity is still unknown on both victims. It is the belief of this office and the administration of each of the county jurisdictions involved, that Lucas was responsible for these crimes.
Very truly yours, Wayne Teglia, Director David Haneline,
1981 dllvluey nepull confessions information developed through Investigation
Mary Kaufman (Removed) Tulsa, OK Multiple stab wounds, Body burned.
Accomplice: Toole only.
D.p.s. Response Comments
Task Force records do not reflect Lucas confessing to this offense as indicated by the Attorney General's report. Lucas has not been shown as confirmed nor as a suspect. Task Force records have shown Toole only as confirmed in this offense.
The Attorney General's report states this offense has been removed, which is incorrect. On 2-7-86, Tulsa, Oklahoma Police Department Detective Chamblin stated he still believed Toole was responsible for homicide. A letter dated 2-8-86 from Detective Chamblin was received by the Task Force indicating confirmation information.
CURRENT STATUS: Still confirmed. Has not been removed. Toole only.
Date: 7-11-81 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Victim: Mary Kaufman, 64 Victim was a resident of the Fox Rooming House and Ottis Toole was also a resident there. He broke into the victim's room, stabbed her numerous times, and attempted to burn the body. Tulsa Police interviewed Toole at time of offense, however, were unaware of his previous homicides.
During the month of September, 1984, Tulsa, Oklahoma officers re-interviewed Toole in Jacksonville, Florida, at which time he admitted the stabbing death of the victim and the arson which followed.
Offense cleared by Tulsa, Oklahoma 5.0. and Jacksonville, Florida
Police Department 600 civic cinten
020886 Sgt. Prince At your offices request I am forwarding information on the status of two homicide cases which occured in Tulsa with Otis Toole as the suspect. These cases are Charles Henry Weight, 474713, and Mary Coffman, case file number 399352.
Enclosed you will find a clearance request on the Weight showing it exceptionally cleared. A Clearance request be located on the Coffman case, however the case log indicates that was also cleared in the same manner as the Weight Showing Toole as the suspect.
Exceptionally cleared cases are those cases that the perpetrator is known but charges will not be filed. In both of these cases they cleared in this manner due to the probably never be brought to Oklahoma for trial due to the number of convictions that he has already drawn in other states.
If I can be of any further assistance in this matter, or any other, please feel free to call.
1982 Attorney General's Report
10/2 Sussex, New Brunswick, Canada Gloria Stepan made NCIC inquiry on Toole.
(Removed) Comment: Indictment dismissed.
Conroe, TX Raped; Stabbed
D.p.s. Response Comments:
Prior to the formation of the Task Force, Sheriff Joe Corley, Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, cleared this homicide Lucas being responsible. Lucas was indicted for this offense.
Ina plea bargain arrangement, this indictment was dismissed in exchange for guilty pleas, and Lucas received two life sentences in two unrelated homicides in Montgomery County. The investigating officers still feel Lucas is responsible. Refer to attached letter from Judge James Keeshan, who was the District Attorney during the above described legal proceedings.
Following will bea synopsis of each offense which has been confirmed and cleared by suspect Henry ta Lucas since the inception of the DPS Homici omicide Task Force between Gloria Ann Stepan, 32 The nude body of the victim was discovered 10-2-83 one-half mile south of 1488 northwest of Magnolia, Texas. Victim had been stabbed in the neck and had been raped. The victim's 1972 white Ford Station Wagon was recovered near Fredericksburg, Texas.
Lucas admitted that he had killed this victim, and led officers to the location where he had left the body, further describing the position in which he had left it.
James Keeshan Judge, 359th Judicial District Montgomery County conroe, Texas 77301
March 20, 1986
To Whom it May Concern:
Re: Henry Lee Lucas Montgomery County, Texas Cause No. 17000; 17001; 17002 During the period from September 1, 1975 until September 1, 1985, I served as the District Attorney for the Ninth District, which includes Montgomery County. During 1984, my office prosecuted cases involving Henry Lee Lucas as a defendant, resulting in guilty pleas in Cause No. 17001 and 17002, and a dismissal in Cause No. 17000.
The circumstances as I recall, involved the discovery of the bodies of three murdered females in Montgomery County,
Donez, Cause No. 17001, found murdered on or about April 16, 1983;
loria Stepan, Cause No. 17000, found murdered on or about October 1982; and unknown white female, Cause No. 17002, found murdered on or about March 17, 1983. In each case, there were indications kidnapping and sexual assault prior to the murder which was committed either by strangulation or stabbing, or both.
Asl recall, it was probably early in 1984 when the Montgomery County Sheriff's Department gained custody of Henry Lee Lucas from Montague County and interviewed him concerning the three homicides.
Mr. Lucas confessed in writing to each of the murders, and led Montgomery County officers to the locations where he had "dumped" the bodies (which coincide with the places in which the bodies had been discovered). I personally had confidence in the accuracy of Mr.
Lucas' confessions because the homicides appeared consistent with the actions of a "serial killer", because of Lucas' accuracy in leading the officers to the points at which the bodies were found, and because of my confidence in the officers involved, including Montgomery County Sheriff, Joe Corley. In addition, when Lucas led officers to two of the locations, defense attorney William Hall was present, and he personally assured me that the officers had been cautious not to prompt Lucas in any way in the search for the "dump sites".
When the cases were formally disposed of by guilty pleas and the dismissal, I believed that it was appropriate to reduce two the charges from capital murder to murder, recommending life rison as a punishment because the death penalty had already
20, 1986 Page 2 been assessed against Lucas in a previous Texas conviction and our local case load could ill afford the addition of three lengthy capital murder trials. The third case was dismissed simply as a result of a proposed plea bargain. I had been inclined to dismiss the case involving the unidentified female, Cause No. 17002, but ended up dismissing the Gloria Stepan murder, Cause No. 17000 instead, because Lucas suggested to his attorney, Mr. Hall, and stated in my presence, that some of his friends had suggested to Mr. Lucas that he had a partial alibi for the time period involved in the Stepan case. Lucas briefly elaborated that, although he initially thought he had in fact committed the Stepan homicide, he was not so sure any more, since his friends had suggested it was unlikely that he was in Montgomery County on that date.
aware of any improper inducement or suggestions occurring during the investigation or in the plea bargain process involved with any of these three cases. Admittedly, the cases defended for evidence primarily on the admissions and written confession sof Henry Lee Lucas himself. However, in view of my own confidence in the investigators, as further supported by the comments of Mr. Hall, I had no reservations concerning the guilt of Mr. Lucas.
Sincerely, Keeshan, Judge 359th Judicial District
Date 06-12-85 FROM: Block, Senior Ranger Captain The following represents an examination of cases where Rangers were involved as published in the Dallas Times Herald on 06-09-85. The examination was limited to the following areas: Evidence available to prove or disprove, Scope of our involvement, and if Lucas is still considered a suspect.
Department, Ranger David Byrnes and Ranger Havrda. Date of offense:
between 03-12-81 and 03-13-81,
a. Led officers to scene.
Method of death: Corroborated stabbed. Bloody knife at scene, Also strangled with telephone cord.
Lucas identified victim in photo lineup.
Lucas claims to have cut or bite on victim's breasts and victim's nipples were severed.
This is a partial listing of evidence. A total of 12 points exist.
Scope, of Involvement
1. Major role: Ranger Byrnes was involved with the original on-the-scene investigation and Ranger Havrda later interviewed Lucas.
Case Status confirmed.
1. Lucas is still considered a suspect and is charged with murder Ector County. The District Attorney is considering dismissal to a faulty indictment.
1. The news article shows an offense date of March 3, 1981, which was probably due to a typographical error on the Task Force synopsis which listed the March 3rd date. The correct date should be between March 12, 1981 and March 13, 1981.
Page 2 Interoffice Memorandum investigated by Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office and Ranger Milton Wright.
Date of offense: 03-04-81.
This offense should not have been carried by the Task Force Synopsis as being cleared by Ranger Milton Wright. Ranger Wright only obtained information requested by the Task Force from the Sheriff's Department and had no other involvement in the investigation of this case.
Christi Police Department and Ranger Jim Peters. Date of offense: 03-05-81.
a. Led officers to scene when officers only knew general location.
Picked photograph of victim from several photographs.
Points of confession corroborated.
4. Described manner of death stab wounds.
a. None noted.
Scope of our involvement
1. Minor role: Ranger Peters interviewed Lucas in Georgetown and then arranged a trip to Corpus Christi. Ranger Peters was present when officers were led back to the scene. There was no initial ment on the part of the Rangers.
Case Status confirmed.
1, Ranger Peters feels that Lucas is still a suspect; however, since he only played a minor role, the Police Department needs to investigate further.
4. Victim: Unknown Body found 11-01-80. Listed as investigated by Walker This case was another example of information being obtained by a Ranger from the Sheriff's Department where the Ranger was listed as the clearing officer.
Ranger Styles only relayed information and was in no way involved in the investigation. The Task Force Synopsis was corrected and the case was removed as cleared.
a. Returned to crime scene by Lucas even though the scene was no longer a shoe store and is now a tire store.
Lucas recalled the front door know being rattle after locking, which is consistent with witness information.
Exit through rear door which was left open.
4. Method of death consistent with evidence.
Five points in statement corroborated.
a. Blood Antigen found at scene remains unexplained.
Hair samples on victim remain unexplained.
Incorrect diagram of store made by Lucas.
Scope of our involvement
1. Major role: Ranger Autrey has been involved since the beginning the investigation. Ranger Brune interviewed Toole in Florida and Ranger Autrey has accompanied Lucas back to the crime scene. Ranger Autrey has also had Toole back in Brownwood.
Case Status confirmed.
well as Toole, is considered a suspect. The District Attorney wants the question as to the Blood Antigen answered before proceeding with indictments.
Sheriff's Office and Ranger Stuart Dowell. Date of offense: 09-09-75.
a. Led officers to scene in spite of fact that the terrain had changed drastically.
Method of death: corroborated gunshot to head.
2. Negative None noted.
Scope of our involvement
1. Major role: Ranger Dowell was involved early in the investigation.
Ranger Dowell accompanied Lucas back to the scene when he spontaneously related this offense. Lucas was being questioned concerning other offenses when he provided information on this case.
Case Status confirmed.
1. Lucas is still considered a suspect. There has been no court action.
1. Lucas claims that Toole committed this homicide outside his presence but was present at the scene.
County Sheriff's Office and Ranger Joaquin Jackson. Date of offense:
a. Led to scene to Lucas and Toole on separate occasions.
Described victim's vehicle.
Described groceries in vehicle.
4. Identified photo of victim.
Recall of the scene lay-out was extremely
Recalled correctly that Toole stuck victim's vehicle near scene.
a. Lucas first stated he saw the victim after death but later stated he had not.
Scope of our involvement
1. Major role: Ranger Jackson has accompanied both Lucas and Toole to the scene of this offense. Ranger Jackson has been involved in this investigation since near the beginning.
Case Status confirmed.
Lucas is still considered a suspect and stands indicted in Zavala County for murder. Lucas has refused to plead to murder but has indicated a desire to plead for kidnapping since Toole did the actual murder.
8. Victim unknown (previously carried as Stephanie Lee Smith), Polk County, Walker. Date of offense: unknown since the body was decomposed. Discovered This is a case that is being called cleared by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and Ranger Tommy Walker and should not be carried as such. Ranger Walker only arranged for Lucas to be brought to Polk County and had no other involvement in the investigation.
Police Department and Ranger Jackie Peoples.
1. Positive Led officers to general area but could not pick apartment.
Described method of death killed with vacuum cleaner cord.
Victim had been raped, then dressed.
4. Described furniture glass-topped table.
Other points of statement corroborated.
a. Failed to identify exact apartment.
Stated jewelry taken.
Scope of our involvement
Ranger Peoples has been involved in the investigation since near the beginning. Ranger Peoples also accompanied Lucas back to the vicinity of the crime scene and assisted with the taking of a statement.
1. Lucas has pled guilty and has been sentenced to 75 years.
Respectfully submitted, Block Senior Ranger Captain Texas Ranger Service By: Maurice Cook Assistant Supervisor Texas Ranger Service MCCick
Date 06-28-85 SUBJECT: Henry Lee Lucas cases mentioned in Dallas Times Herald article Dianne Lynn Bryant, white female, 17 years of age, who resided at 306 Mesquite Street, Brownfield, was murdered on April 16, 1981.
On May 17, 1984, Henry Lee Lucas was brought to Brownfield by Ranger Jackie Peoples and Lubbock Detective George White. After arriving in Brownfield, Lucas directed them to the apartment complex where the murder occurred.
Traveling to the Police station, Chief of Police Churchwell and Ranger Peoples interviewed Lucas. The information developed by the interview and directions given by Lucas to the apartment complex can be coorborated by a minimum of eleven points. (Documented by previous reports by Ranger Peoples and written statement by Lucas) On August 10, 1984, Lucas was indicted by the Terry County Grand Jury.
On September 20, 1984, Lucas was tried, found guilty and given seventy
years in Texas Department of Corrections.
The Dallas Times Herald article dated June 9, 1985 stated Lucas sold scrap metal in Jacksonville, Florida on the date of this offense. I understand the handwriting will be compared.
The Chief of Police and the District Attorney are convinced Lucas committed the murder.
Ranger Peoples is a seasoned, experienced criminal investigator and, in my opinion, the possibility of Lucas not committing the murder is very remote.
Respectfully submitted, Charles A. Moore, Jr., Captain, Company Texas Rangers Lubbock, Texas
Date 05-28-85 SUBJECT: Offenses in Company area in which Lucas has been confirmed as being involved in homicides and in which Rangers had major role in investigations Sgt. Bob Prince and writer have reviewed files in which Henry Lee Lucas has been determined as being involved. We are in agreement that the investigations are complete, and no further action needs to be taken, and all files are up-toate.
Synopsis No. 10 Company File No. Headquarters File No. Unidentified White Female Offense occurred in Bastrop County, Body Discovered 06-21-79 Ranger Clayton Smith, Investigator
2. Synopsis No. 46 Company File No. Headquarters File No. Marie Clark, Victim Offense occurred in San Saba, Date: 10-11-82 Ranger Stan Guffey, Investigator
Synopsis No. 33 Company File No. Headquaters File No. Rodney Allan Cass, Victim Offense occurred Cherokee County Date: 08-02-82 Ranger Brownlow, Investigator Respectfully submitted, ROBERT MITCHELL, Captain Texas Rangers, Waco, Texas
Date 1-31-86 SUBJECT: Cases in which Texas Rangers had major role in investigation 23 Homicides/3 Non Homicides
Skeletal Remains Found 4-25-82 SYN-79 Happy Howry Big Spring Charles
Conflicts in cases Texas Rangers had major role in investigations which may be addressed in Attorney General's report 8-25-75 SYN-118 Deborah Williamson Lubbock, Conflicts will indicate Lucas was in Maryland with relatives at the time this offense occurred. This information is addressed in detail in memos from Texas Ranger Jackie Peoples.
32313 SYN-37 Curby Reeves Smith County Conflict which will possibly be alluded to by the Attorney General's report will indicate Lucas received a pay check on 9-8-75 while working at a mushroom farm in Pennsylvania. Ranger Dowell has conferred with Pennsylvania Trooper John Campbell reference this information, and from data received from Trooper Campbell reference the work records in Pennsylvania, Dowell is still of the opinion Lucas was involved in this offense.
Lucas had been transported to Smith County to interview with Ranger Dowell and Smith County officers reference several homicides. While they were traveling I-20 Lucas directed Ranger Dowell to exit at a truck stop then began describing the homicide of victim Reeves.
Victim had been shot in the head. Lucas described this was done while victim was performing oral sex. This type crime is common in numerous other offenses in which Lucas and Toole are allegedly involved. Lucas then directed officer from the truck stop to the location where the homicide occurred.
It is unknown whether Toole was with Lucas at the time of this incident, however, Lucas stated he was.
Page January 31, 1986 2 1-10-76 SYN-119 Elizabeth Price Lubbock, Conflicts will indicate Lucas was in Maryland with relatives at the time this offense occurred.
Lubbock investigators, including Texas Ranger Jackie Peoples, interviewed Lucas and believe there was sufficient information to indicate Lucas was involved in this homicide, as he pointed out the crime scene location and described the area around the location which had been drastically changed since the time of the homicide.
Charges have been dismissed in this offense.
4-18-79 SYN-47 Yolanda Garcia Uvalde, Conflict on this offense which will probably be addressed by Attorney General's report will indicate that Lucas was working at the Southeastern Color Coating Roofing Company in Jacksonville, Florida on the date of the homicide. The accuracy of the work records has been challenged and it has been determined that some work records are inaccurate and some probably accurate.
Uvalde by two men. Investigating officers which included Joaquin Jackson bef lieved Lucas was responsible due to the fact he had accurate knowledge of the offense.
Lucas described where the victim was taken and killed, pointing it out on a map and described the type vehicle she was driving and the color.
He also described the contents of a grocery sack which victim had. The contents were later confirmed by investigators.
Lucas personally pointed out the crime scene to investigators.
3-13-81 SYN-16 Beverly Luttrell Odessa, The Attorney General's report will probably address that a commercial metal record indicates Lucas sold materials 3-13-81 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Lucas told Ranger Ryan on 6-22-83 that he had killed a lady in West Texas in a house trailer.
Ranger Ryan contacted Ranger Havrda who was unfamiliar with an offense matching the details Lucas gave however, he contacted Odessa who gave details of the Luttrell Lucas gave several crime scene details that Havrda was able to cor rob orate with crime. scene photos.
Page January 31, 1986 When Havrda a Odessa detective interviewed Lucas it was apparent that Lucas knew more of the offense than the officers did. Lucas was eventually transported to Odessa where he pointed out the crime scene.
The Attorney General's report possibly may address that Lucas was in Hemet, California from the first week of February, 1982 through May 22, 1982, was with Jack Smart, was without a car, and was also working for Jack Smart, who stated Lucas never left Hemet.
Criminal records indicate Jack Smart is a convicted felon. Lucas has stated to Task Force officers that Jack Smart is involved in a large amount of narcotics trafficking and also is involved in homicides.
Information the Task Force has which is contradictory to Jack Smart's statement is as follows:
2-12-82 Lucas in Covington, Louisiana involved in homicide Roxanne Sharp. Lucas personally led officers from four different agencies to the crime scene.
involved in homicide of Barbara Begley. Lucas has identified by two eye witnesses as being in Hobbs, Mexico when homicide occurred.
4-25-72 Big Spring, Texas records indicate Lucas involved homicide of Happy Howry.
Conflict which will probably be addressed is that homicide occurring in Hitchcock was on the same day of homicide which has been linked to distance between the two locations is approximately 200 miles, and the homicides could easily have occurred on the same date.
Date 12-4-85 SUBJECT: Synopses where Rangers are shown as clearing officers as reported through memos from Sgt. Prince to Chief Hacker during operation of Task Force Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Casey King, however, should also include Willie Ruiz, Sergeant, Kleberg County 5.0. as both King Ruiz jointly interviewed Lucas and jointly concurred in clearance.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Clayton Smith, however, Bastrop County Sheriff Tommy Mosley also interviewed Lucas, along with Smith, and both jointly concurred in clearance, i Although Ranger Smith was working in his role as Task Force Coordinator, this particular offense occurred within the assigned territory for which he is responsible, therefore, he should be considered an investigating officer.
Victim: Donna Mae Inlow Brownwood, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Norman Autrey, however, offense was jointly investigated by Ranger Autrey and Hays Beam, Deputy Sheriff, Brown County 5.0., and Lucas was interviewed by them jointly, and the clearance authority should be Texas Ranger Norman Autrey and Deputy Sheriff Hays Beam, Brown County 5.0.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Sergeant Bob Prince. This is correctly listed as the victim of this offense telephoned Sgt. Prince to describe the incident; then viewed photo of Lucas and made a positive identification. This incident is an attempted kidnapping.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Clayton Smith, however, Ranger Smith only transported Lucas to Kimble County. Clearing authority should be Sheriff John Lockett.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Brownlow and Cherokee County Sheriff Alan Horton. This is a correct listing as both officers participated in the investigation of the offense and the interview process, and both concur as to clearance.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Stuart Dowell, however, it should show Ranger Dowell and Deputy Sheriff Liptah as co-authorities.
Victim: Curby Reeves Smith County, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Stuart Dowell, however, the clearing authority should be Ranger Dowell and Smith County Deputy Sheriff
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Stuart Dowell, however, Kaufman County Sheriff Brockway should also be listed. Lucas has been convicted for this offense.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Glenn Elliott, however, should as all participated in the investigation and interview of Lucas, and all agree Lucas is responsible for offense.
Victim: Marie Clark San Saba, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Stan Guffey and San Saba County Sheriff Brantley Barker, and this listing is correct.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Joe Coleman, however, should include Pecos County Sheriff Larry Gibbs Clearance authority is shown to be Polk County Sheriff Ted Everett and Texas Ranger Tommy Walker. The clearance authority should be only Sheriff Everett as Ranger Walker only passed information to the Task Force.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Tommy Walker and Polk County Sheriff Ted Everett, and this listing is correct.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Glen Krueger and Sheriff Larry Busby. This is incorrect, and Sheriff Busby only should be shown as the clearing authority as Ranger Krueger does not concur the offense should be cleared.
Victim: Lura Domez Montgomery County, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Tommy Walker, however, the clearing authority should be Ranger Walker and Montgomery County Sheriff Joe Corley as both transported Lucas to the crime scene and both participated in obtaining confession from Lucas. Lucas has been convicted in this offense.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Milton Wright, however, in this instance, Ranger Wright only served as relay for the information to the Task Force. Harris County officers were transporting Lucas to different homicide scenes when Lucas directed them into Fort Bend County to a site where he stated he had left a body. While at the site, Harris County 5.0. contacted Fort Bend County 5.0. and Deputy Ken Lee came to the scene, confirmed the offense occurring as Lucas had described and at the location he had described, therefore, Sgt. Ken Lee, Fort Bend County should be listed as the clearing authority.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Rangers Tommy Walker and Milton Wright.
Ranger Walker advised that while interviewing Lucas on another matter, Lucas described wrapping a victim in a paint drop cloth. Although the body was found in one of the counties Walker works, he was unfamiliar with this particular offense. The bulk of the investigation had been handled by Houston and Harris County 5.0 as the victim had disappeared from there.. Ranger Walker stated after the interview with Lucas, he contacted an officer with the Houston whose name he does not recall. The clearance authority should be Ranger Walker and Houston
Victim: Happy Howry Big Spring, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Charles Brune, however, should read Ranger Brune and Bill Shankles, Chief Deputy, Howard County Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Phil Ryan, however, should shown as Ranger Ryan and Montague County Sheriff A. Conway. Lucas has pled guilty to this offense.
Victim: Kate Rich Montague County, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Phil Ryan, however, should. be listed as Ranger Ryan and Denton Detective Larry Brearly. Lucas has been tried and convicted on this offense.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Wesley Styles. On 5-23-85, Sgt. Prince wrote a memo to Col. Adams describing reasons for now listing offense as no longer cleared. See attached memo dated 5-23-85.
Clearance authority is shown to be Bastrop County Sheriff Tommy Moseley and Moseley and Deputy Ronnie Duncan as they investigated the offense and interviewed Lucas, and they were solely responsible for the clearance. Sgt. Prince was listed because he transported Lucas to the scene and assisted in the taping of the interview while Lucas was directing officers to the location, Clearance authority is shown to be Comal County and Texas Ranger Martinez, however, it should be shown as Ranger Martinez only as the Comal County Deputy, Kermit Krousche, who was traveling with Ranger Martinez and Lucas in returning to the crime scene, was only along for security and was not involved in the investigation.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Bill Quinn, however, should be shown as Ranger Quinn and Grimes County 5.0. Deputies John LaFluer and Bill Foster as all three participated in the interview and all concur in the clearance.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Jackie Peoples, however, should be Ranger Peoples and Brownfield Chief Churchwell as both interviewed Lucas and both believe he is responsible for homicide.
later pled guilty to this offense.
Clearance authority is shown to be Captain Mansel Gilmer, Hale County This listing is correct, however, should include Texas Ranger Jim Mull. Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Jim Peters, however should be shown as Ranger Peters and Corpus Christi Detectives Paul Riviera and Eddie Garza.
Clearance authority is shown to be Cameron County District Attorney Investigator Joe Garza and Texas Ranger Bruce Casteel, This is correct.
Victim: Suzanne Bowers Galveston, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Joe Haralson, and this is correct.
Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Clayton Smith, however, both Ranger Smith and Ranger Glen Krueger interviewed the victim, who positively identified Lucas, therefore, both Rangers should share clearing authority.
in the interview or investigation, therefore, clearance authority should be Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Bob Steele and Bexar County Investigators Bill White and Dalton Baker, however, Ranger Steele only helped provide security in returning Lucas to the crime scene and he did not participate in the interview or investigation, therefore, clearance authority should be Victim: Elsa Gonzales Bexar County, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Bob Steele and Bexar County Investigators Bill White and Dalton Baker, however, Ranger Steele only helped provide security in returning Lucas to the crime scene and he did not participate in the interview or investigation, therefore, clearance authority should be 4218 Victim: Linda Hopwood Bexar County, Clearance authority is shown to be Texas Ranger Bob Steele and Bexar County Investigators Bill White and Dalton Baker, however, Ranger Steele only helped provide security in returning Lucas to the crime scene and he did not participate in the interview or investigation, therefore, clearance authority should be Shure BOB PRINCE, Sergeant, Texas Ranger, Co. Waco, Texas
Date 05-21-85 TO: Colonel James Adams, Director Division Cecil Manley Victim Marion County Date: 1-18-79 Synopsis No. 40 On 01-20-84, Henry Lucas was transported to different crime scene locations east Texas by Rangers Stuart Dowell and Glenn Elliott.
Ranger Max Womack, who works Marion County, was off duty on the date Lucas was in the area.
When Rangers drove through Marion County, Lucas pointed out a convenience where he stated he had killed the attendant.
changes which had been made in the convenience store and how the offense occurred. one detail Lucas was not correct in was the fact the victim was a white male and he stated it was a black male.
After Ranger Dowell conferred with Ranger Womack, it was believed Womack was calling the offense a confirmed offense in which Lucas was involved, therefore, this information was given to the Task Force and has been called a confirmed offense in Task Force records since 01-20-84.
In April, 1985, when each Ranger was asked to fil) out a questionnaire concerning each offense Lucas had been interviewed on and list the cases as confirmed, uncon firmed, or Ranger Womack returned the questionnaire concerning Cecil Manley as uncon firmed.
Writer then personally contacted Ranger Womack who stated that even though all of the details were correct concerning the offense with the exception of the race of the victim, that left cnough uncertainty that they wished to consider the case as uncon firmed.
This matter had been a breakdown in communication between Ranger Womack and Task Force, causing the Task Force records to cal the offense confirmed.
Date 05-23-85 TO: Colonel James Adams, Director Division Unidentified White Female Victim Walker County Date: 11-1-80 Synopsis No. 97 Shortly after the Task Force was organized, Henry Lucas told Task Force members of a white female had killed and left at a roadside park on I-45 near Buffalo, Texas.
Ranger Connell was contacted and he advised he had had several homicides which had occurred along 1-45, and it vas unknown if any of these matched the one Lucas was describing.
Lucas was then transported to Leon County by Ranger Clayton Smith and Williamson County Sheriff Jim Boutwell to meet with Ranger Connell, Lucas attempted find the location he was talking about, however, was unable to locate the roadside park where he had left the body.
Investigating officers at that time were unaware of an offense which had occurred in Walker County where a body had been found at roadside In December, 1983, Walker County Deputies traveled to Georgetown, Texas to interview suspect Henry Lucas. The interview was conducted on Saturday when Force members were not at the jail facilities.
Writer contacted Walker County officials by telephone shortly thereafter and investigator who had interviewed Lucas stated they were satisfied Lucas was involved in the homicide. Writer asked the Walker County Deputy to send a synopsis of the offense for the Task Force records. The synopsis was not forthcoming and the Deputy was contacted on at least two other occasions requested to furnish this information. Each time he stated he would send it, however, it was never sent.
Ranger Wesley Styles, who is assigned to Walker County, was then requested obtain the information for writer, and it was then forwarded to the Task Force and the Task Force records have since indicated confirmation of Lucas being involved in the offense.
Page In April, 1985, when each Ranger was asked to fill out questionnaire cerning each offense on which Lucas had been interviewed and list the offenses as confirmed, uncon firmed, or Ranger Styles returned the questionnaire concerning the unidentified white female as uncon firmed.
When Walker County 5.0. was contacted by Ranger Styles, they stated they did not wish to show this as a confirmed offense. Captain Dan North attempted to contact the Walker County 5.0., however, the Chief Deputy refused to return his telephone calls.
It should be noted very poor working relationships exist with the Walker County and they have exhibited no cooperation in this or other matters.
1976 Attorney General's
8/1 Comments: Lucas resided at Benjamin's Trailer Park in Fort Deposit, MD, for entire month, per rent records Crawford interview.
8/3 Lucas paid rent at Benjamin's Trailer Clemmie Curtis Park in Port Deposit, MD, per Benjamin's Trailor Park rent records Police Officer found hand records (Exhibit cuffed and shot once with his own service revolver.
Vehicle: Patrol car.
Accomplice: Ottis Toole.
D.p.s. Response Comments:
Location information developed by Attorney General's office shows a possible conflict.
Detective Bevins of the Huntington, West Virginia stated he interviewed Mr. Benjamin at Benjamin Trailer Park. Mr. Benjamin stated that he had a receipt book showing Lucas paid rent in 1975 and 1976; however, there was no notation as to who would have paid the rent. Bevins further stated that someone from Dallas had come and picked up that page from his receipt book concerning these transactions and did not return same; therefore, no documentation could be viewed by West Virginia officers.
Subject: Victim Clemmie Curtis, 30
Location: Huntington, West Virginia Date 08-03-76 On 08-03-76, on-duty police officer, Clemmie Curtis, went to a local driven restaurant and ordered a hamburger, french fries, and a soft drink "to go" some time between 2:00 and 2:30 PM. The victim was driving an unmarked police unit, however, the victim was in uniform. At approximately 5:45 PM., the victim was found deceased lying on his back, handcuffed, with his weapon between his legs. The victim was found on a lover's lane approximate one-fourth mile north of Interstate 64. The victim had been shot one time in the chest area in a slightly upward angle, the exit wound being on his back. The angle of the exit wound was higher than the entry wound. Found near the body was a clipboard with a hand printed note written across a blank accident report which was directed to the officer's wife, the bulk of which was a personal note, however, in the contents of the note he wrote, "I think he's going to kill me."
The investigation at the time of the offense ruled the death a suicide, thinking that the motive might possibly be money problems and that he had sta ged his own death to make it look like a suicide so that he might financially take care of his wife and daughters. At the time of the death, the victim was over-insured according to his salary range. A subsequent investigation in 1982 ended with the same suicide ruling.
In August of 1984, Texas officers (Ranger Sgt. Bob Prince and Williamson County Sheriff Jim Boutwell) were informed by Lucas that he had killed several police officers. When pressed for details, he stated that he would have to think about them and talk about it later. Sgt. Prince then advised Lucas that at any time he thought of an instance where an officer was involved to relate the details and they would follow them up with the information.
October of 1984, Lucas stated to Sgt. Prince that he recalled two officers that he had killed, one being in Kentucky and one being in West Virginia.
Ranger Clayton Smith and Sgt. Bob Prince interviewed Lucas and the following information was learned. Lucas stated reference the Kentucky officer that the officer had been handcuffed and shot with his own weapon. Reference the West Virginia officer, Lucas stated this incident occurred on a lover's lane just off of 1-64 in 1975 or 1976, and that he had shot the West Virginia officer.
The Kentucky officers were immediately contacted and they advised that they did not have an incident where an officer had been handcuffed and shot with his own
age 02 Col. James Adams April 29, 1985 weapon. West Virginia State Police were then contacted and asked if they were aware of any incident of an officer shot on a lover's lane along I-64 in 1975 or 1976. The information was taken by a West Virginia State Policeman who contacted all agencies along I-64. Detective Tom Bevins of Huntington Police Department received the inquiry information and realized it closely resembled the incident involving Clemmie Curtis.
Det. Bevins telephoned Sgt. Prince and stated the information as described Lucas closely resembled the incident involving Curtis and at that time, Sgt. Prince advised Det. Bevins that he had been told of another incident in Kentucky (Huntington, West Virginia was 12 miles from the Kentucky state line).
It was then determined if the incidents Lucas had previously related had combined, it would have matched completely the Clemmie Curtis incident.
Georgetown, Texas. During the interview with the officers, Lucas picked the victim's photograph out of a photo spread of eight pictures, correctly drew a diagram including a map of the area surrounding the crime scene, and correctly stated the officer was in uniform, however, he was driving a plain unmarked vehicle. Lucas, however, was wrong as to the color of the vehicle, and described the officer's weapon as being a or stainless steel, and the weapon was in fact a stainless steel model. also correctly stated that food and drink were in the car. Lucas was wrong in the number of times he stated he shot the victim, stating he shot four or five times, when the officer was in fact shot only once, and Lucas did not give any information concerning the handcuffs.
On 11-27-84, the same officers from West Virginia interviewed Ottis Toole in the Florida State Penitentiary at Starke, Florida. He was shown the same eight photo picture spread and correctly picked out the photograph of Officer Curtis.
rough diagram of the scene and correctly placed an showing where the body had ben left. He also correctly related that the driver's had been left open.
A request was made through channels to transport Lucas to West Virginia to determine if further confirmation could be made as to Lucas being involved in the homicide. Prior to Lucas being transported to West Virginia, Sgt. Prince requested that West Virginia authorities video tape, along with an audio recording, the period of time when Lucas would be attempting to lead officers to the crime scene. Sgt. Prince also requested that a neutral observer be permitted to observe the entire interview and return to the crime scene process.
This request was made in anticipation of controversy which would follow the clearing of the case since this incident had previously been ruled a suicide.
Page Col. James Adams April 29, 1985 On 12-11-84, Lucas was transported to Huntington, West Virginia where numerous West Virginia officers accompanied Lucas while he was locating the crime scene, and a video and audio recording was made, beginning several miles before entering the Huntington, West Virginia city limits. A civilian observer, Vernon Doake, was also in the van and remained in a location where he could observe and hear all the conversations between Lucas and officers.
Officers worked with Lucas for a short time during the afternoon of 12-11-84, and Lucas could not immediately find the scene. When he appeared to become very frustrated, it was decided to place Lucas in jail with no further interviews and to begin the same process on the morning of 12-12-84.
During the morning of 12-12-84, Lucas did direct officers to the walked to the exact spot where the victim's body had been found. Lucas stated at that time that he and Toole were parked in the lover's lane in an isolated area and had a large number of burglarized items in their vehicle. Lucas stated that Officer Curtis drove up to them at that location, and asked their identification and placed them under arrest for being intoxicated. Curtis then returned to his patrol car to use the radio, reached inside, then Lucas and Toole grabbed the officer, falling on top of him in the front seat and took his weapon. He stated he told the officer that he was going to have to kill him as he did not want to be arrested and identified. He stated the officer advised that he had a wife and two children, at which time Lucas or Curtis (Lucas is unsure) brought up that a note should be written and that Curtis did write a note to his wife. Also, Lucas stated that when he shot the officer, he was shot in the chest and the bullet would have traveled in an upward direction.
When Lucas was returned to the scene, he then recalled that Curtis was handcuffed and shot one time with his weapon, even though during the Texas interview he thought that the handcuff ing of this officer and the officer being shot with his own weapon one time had occurred in Kentucky.
On 1-16-85, che Grand Jury in Cabell County, West Virginia indicted and Toole for murder in the first degree of Clemmie Curtis.
On 1-22-85, Lucas was returned to Huntington, West Virginia where he pled guilty to the offense of first degree murder and received a life sentence without parole.
Virginia, Sheriff's Department.
Respectfully submitted, ies BOB PRINCE, Sergeant Texas Rangers, Co. Waco, Texas Attachment: Letter received from civilian observer, Vernon
Box 1328 Sth Avenue at 25th Huntington, 25714-1328 Telephone 304-529-2200 April 26, 1985
To Whom it May Concern:
1984 I was asked by Captain Jim Hunter of the Huntington, West Virginia Police Department to accompany a group of police officers to drive in from Milton, West Virginia a mid way point from the Charleston, West Virginia airport with Henry Lucas. The purpose of this trip was to ascertain whether or not Mr. Lucas had in fact been to Huntington in 1976 and murdered a Huntington Police Officer.
as a neutral observer, which I assumed meant to be sure that Mr. Lucas was not coached on any facet of the crime. I rode to Milton with Capt. Hunter where we met the van carrying Mr. Lucas. I got in the van with Mr. Lucas, Trooper Dotson of the West Virginia State Police, Sgt. Bob Prince of the Texas Rangers, Mr. Boutwell the Williamson County one other representative of the West Virginia State Police.
We spent approximately three hours driving Mr. Lucas into town and driving around at Mr. Lucas direction. He seemed to know what he was looking for and acted as though he wanted to be very sure of the proper location at each step of the trip. He was driven around strictly at his direction.
coached or given any hints or coercion either verbally or visually while I was present. By 5:00 PM it was starting to get dark and we decided to call ita day. At this time Mr. Lucas had directed us to 16th Street and Washington Boulevard and he seemed sure that this was the way that he had come into town. then drove.Mr. Lucas to the Cabell County jail where he was kept for the night.
Capt. Hunter and driven to the West Virginia State Police headquarters on Route 60 East. Mr. Lucas was brought to the same location where we waited for about thirty minutes for Mr. John Cummings to arrive. We then loaded in the van and beg ain by going to Interstate 64 and tra cing the route that Mr. Lucas wanted to go into town. Mr. Lucas gave the directions and he was driven
Page wherever he said. Several times was driven to point which knew was wrong and we would turn around arid go again at his direction. I noticed that the officers involved made a special effort not to say anything that might bea hint. They made absolutely no comments or visual expression that might bea clue for Mr. Lucas while I was present. Mr. Lucas found the spot that he was looking for about two hours after we started out.
Once he found the spot he repeated the story of the murder. I am totally convinced that he knew exactly what he was talking about and that he could not have known had he not been there.
took the opportunity seriously and was especially watch ful that this was conducted asl felt it should have been. I am one hundred percent convinced that no improprieties occured during my presence and that the officers involved acted in a very professional manner.
Date 05-02-85 Enforcement Officers During the week of 05-02-85, Huntington, West Virginia Police Department Detective Tom Bevins and other West Virginia officers traveled to Cecil County, Maryland, to interview relatives of Henry Lucas.
The purpose of their interview was to ascertain if Lucas could be documented at any of the alibi locations during the date of the homicide which occurred when Clemmie Curtis, Police Officer, Huntington, West Virginia, was killed. Date of this homicide was 08-03-76.
On 05-02-85 Detective Bevins telephoned writer and gave the following information:
Interview had been conducted with Mrs, Darrell Pierce, niece of Henry Lucas. Mrs. Pierce stated that on 06-24-76, she conducted a real estate transaction and that Lucas was with her at however, there was no documentation porting her claim.
Pierce further stated on 07-14-76, she had purchased a camping trailer lot at the Benjamin Trailer Park in Port Deposit, Maryland. Mrs. Pierce stated that she remembered Lucas being along at this transaction; however, there were no records to indicate and confirm same.
Mrs. Pierce stated on 08-05-76, she went on a shopping trip to Oxford, Pennsylvania, and has a cancelled check for made out to Wiborn Hosery. This check is signed by Mrs. Pierce. Mre. Pierce also stated that Lucas was with her on this shopping trip; however, there was no documentation that would support this.
Mre. Pierce stated that on 09-03-76, she has a receipt for getting a flat fixed and stated that Lucas was with her on this occasion. This is believed to be in Port Deposit, Maryland, also. There vas no documentation, however, that would show Lucas at the location.
therefore no docunentarion could be viewed by West Virginia officers.
Page 2 Interoffice Memorandum Betty Crawford, ex-wife of Lucas stated that during the period of time she was married to Lucas from 1975 to 1977, that Lucas did not work but on numerous occasions did sexually molest her children. Mrs. Crawford does not have recollection of any extended periods of time that Lucas was gone during their marriage.
Detective Bevins stated that he would forward his report concerning this matter to writer as soon as the report was completed, Detective Bevins also stated that he would forward to the writer the memorandum which was sent to the different law enforcement agencies in West Virginia by West Virginia State Police as a result of writers notifying West Virginia State Police of Lucas' original claim of killing a police officer in West Virginia in 1975 or 1976.
Respectfully submitted, Bobby Prince Sergeant, Texas Rangers Company Waco
Sister Clemmie Inte when she returned from Waco on 4-16-85 Walter Werner It's 3:15, Tuesday, the 16th of April, 1985. Present the office mys Sheriff Jim Boutwell and Sister Clemmie, Clemmfe Schroeder of Public Safety.
1- OK. Clemmie, you've just returned from Waco where you visited with the District Attorney up there and with Henry Lucas.
Andl would like for you to repeat what you just told Chief Werner andl a your trip up there. Your just what happened and don't leave anything ou I left here ebout 6:15 in the morning. Yesterday, I was told by Chie Deputy Dan that I could see Henry at 8:00. Andl got to the jail about 7:
ready in the DA's offce andl could just lez the clothes with them end I said, no, that I would stay round even if it Beant staying until lunch time until they gave him break because I reall:
so they set down and shortly Chief Dan came and si that he was in the DA's office and that he would take
office, and when I arrived there, I was told that it would be sce time ani to just sit and wait so they gave me cup of coffee and while I was sit tii there, Hugh Aynesworth walked in with a bear ded man with a briefcase and hi was very surprised to see me andl asked him how he was and he said I don't know that depends on what's going on here. And he told this guy that he back te Dallas. nd I sat there probably an hour and half and the out and took me to a room and he that I was one of Henry's clc friends and thet because of me, Henry is able to do what he is going to be doing tomorrow at the Grand Jury and that he's stating that he has not kil anyone except his mother and that they and he the DA. said now, I'm I don't know if he has killed anyone or.not, but he is saying that he has send we have all these dates that we can verify that lot of the cases that we're checking that he could not have possibly done them and he said you bringing the Lord to Henry that you brought him Bpiritual growth whe ihe can ‘that he can no longer tive a lie and that he needs to confess th zJtruth. sAnd I was all upset, andl said no, I said that's mockery to the “That can't be because Henry told how the Lord came to him in the lig mid to confess andl said if he never killed anyone, why is Henry wouldn't confess lies to the Lord. And he said, well, att Henry didn't know the word of but now you'have given him the wor Df God he wee things straight. And I started crying hard a and got me some kleenexes. He said 1711 just leave you in the room
Sister Clemmie page 2 think about this and I carried on and hit the sofa and screamed and yelled and knelt down and. prayed. So he came back in and he said Henry is going to need you more than anything because it's going to be so hard what he going to do and he said I want you to know that no way are we going to ever let Henry go back to Georgetown, there's no way so you are gong to have to adjust to this knowing that he will not be going back to Georgetown and the Task Force is going to be disbanned in a short while and he said but we are going to take care of Henry and we will put him federal prison and he would be taken care of andl will set up where you can see him when you want to and he can have his art lessons and he can play tennis or anything he wants and I started I guess crying again or something because then he left and he came back andl told him he said Henry I was saying I said I said this isn't right, I said this would bea mockery to the whole lew enforcement. And he said no, this is going to clean up the law enforcement and he said we are going to do work that lot of crooked stuff in the lew enforcement and we are going to get it all cleaned up and he said in the long run, Henry's going to come out looking good. Andl said in the papers he's looking like a liar and a con andl said I don't see how he can look good and he sad you have to put your trust in God to work it through and he said what you're doing you're letting your flesh enter in instead of really believing in the Lord to work this out.
And he started quoting scripture from Romans about the Lord takes things and brings about good for those who love him and stuff and he would he was able to quote scriptures he said he had been a baptist minister andl told him said I said I can't tell how dol know that you aren't cult member and that you aren't trying to get Henry to confess something to just remove him he can't be telling all of that stuff about kids in Mexico and everything? I said how dol know who if you are good or not and he said, well, you don't, you just have to listen to your heart and let the Lord tell you and he said, but, believe you me I'm on the Lord's side and he said I don't need this he said I won couple of capital murder cases andl don't need this for my career I'm just doing this cause I want justice. And so then he started asking that they
were concerned about Henry's health and he asked me abot his stomach. Andl told him how Henry had gone to the Doctor two times and they did Xrays and they decided to doa bio psy and that he asked ifI went to the hospital at that time andl said yes and he said did you see them do the bio psy andl said no, cause the Sheriff told me to wait in the room andl waited in the room and they went to where they did the tests end they came back and said that his stomach lining was clear he just has a her nia at the opening of his stomach it was causing problems but they didn't have to doa bio psy cause it wasn't cancer and then he said, well, we can't tell anyone, you know, we aren't accusing anyone, but Henry is concerned about his health which, I know Henry and Henry isn't he never complains he's not concerned about his health, I mean, he never says I'm worried about my health and he said Henry is concerned about his health and we want to put him hospital and do all these tests and a complete Physical on his health-because he said, you know, he could have cancer and they are keeping it from him so that he would die before all of this investigation Bets cleared I'm not sure of the word he was saying. So he asked me, he said, would you come tomorrow to the Grand Jury and speak before the Grand Jury and I said I would never say anything against the Sheriff or the Task Force and said no, no, no, all we want is just that he had gone for these Xrays and everything. And sol was going to Say no, but then I thought, ifI said yes, fhat would put me back in Waco, and then when I got there, I could see Henry I was buying time like bcause maybe you could tell me something to tell Henry. 80 I said OK, so then he said, well, I think it would be better if
Sister Clemmie page 3 you stayed a motel andl said, well, I have a daughter andi have to teach a picano lesson and he said, well, OK, but you'll come back tonight andl said, yes, come back tonight ifI can see Henry tonight and so he agreed. Cause, you know, thought I needed to sol said that I wanted to see Henry and he said Henry fs going to need a lot of support, and he said we aren't interested in books, and television and everything, but 60 minutes wants to doa program andl thought perhaps you could take over that part and take care of those things andl said I don't want Henry talking to any reporters andl don't want hm talking to any book writers andl said I'm his power of attorney andl don't want him talking to anyone. said, that's fine, that's fine, you know, what ever you want. We'll do it your way and sol want to see Henry, and he said, vell, OK, but he said, you know, he's not looking real good now cause you know, he's away from home and he hasn't shaved and everything andl said, oh, I've seen him with beard before and so they took me down this and he said now, you knov what you're going to have to do tomorrow and you're going to stand by Henry and he said did the Sheriff he asked something about did anyone get message for Henry? I said yes, said the Sheriff said that they appreciated Henry and they want him to tell the truth so he can get back to the-Task Force and get back to Georgetown, said, don't tell him that, don't tell him he's going back to Georgetown, he said don't tell him that. Andl said, well, but the Sheriff said it and he said just don't tell him that cause that is going to confuse him and he has made up his mind to go all the way with the truth. So at this time, I'm telling you I did not I don't know I did not know if the guy if it was true that Henry didn't kill anyone at that time I've got confused about where the where you were, the Task Force even, though I have known you for years I'm the I can't describe the it's just it's something that just gradually pulls you along into a flow of thinking do you know what I'm saying I mean you you are thinking this way but you are hearing something and it just kinda flow going I can't describe what was going on there. And I've got in the room and Henry was sitting in front of the desk and a man vas sitting behind it I said Henry and when I walked into the catwalkhe always jumps up, you know, from his thing and he just sat there andl squat ted down andl started hugging him andl said, Henry, are you alright? And he said, I don't know andl said, Henry, what's wrong you alright? He said, I don't know and he said everything's mess everything's just big mess and he started crying andl said, Henry, stand up I want to see you and he just I just didn't know what I was looking at. I mean, I did not I didn't know ifI was seeing despair, fear or what, you know, but it wasn't the way I see Henry, you know, and so then they said, well, we'll let you have your privacy and we'll put you in this room and then moved couple chairs. We went across the hall and went in 1 so there by Henry's cell andl can't hugging him and ats wrong with 4 he-said, get the erm can't "said, Henry
so confused I'm just so confes said Henry, said, look, I said, you said the Lord came to you in the light, He said, that's true, andl said, the Lord said to confess to your sins and he said, that's true andl said, well, now you're saying all your sins are lies and he said, I don't know. He ed all those people, I did and he said, how could I have gone back ifI didn'1t kill thosI really thought thi I are telling didn't cause they said, people,
somewhere else everywhere you killed someone, u.didn't-kfil-any-of them-and.he.said, I don' know he sai laa Sol said, Henry, don't tomorrow, I said, don't go there tell them that you haven't killed anyone. I said, if you say that, I said, then the Task Force would not be able to fight for you. The. Sheriff, I said, just tell them that if there are any cases that they can prove that you didn't do if there's any cases that you didn't do that you you know, on dates or something, I said, just had made a mistake, tell them you don't know and for them to investigate each one and decide how.m any are yours and everything, and I said, but if you go and say you haven't kille anyone, I said, how are they going to investigate anything. Andl said, Henry, I said, do you love me? And he said, you only.family.l.h I ET Sheriff like fami ave and.he.aaid, and just and.etasrted want to burt your ministry, but and he said, but I couldn't sleep andl though why would they put him in the hospit al, you know, andl thought, dead or said,, that.L people. not insinuating nt, to be saying that these but just fear 8 in Henry, you understand what I'm saying! And I'm not implying that they would treated me well extra, extra nice and they said you are the only one that will be allowed to see Henry, but it's like, stand by him cause he's going to need it.
enforcement. in the long run, it's going He's going to really contribute to the law enforcement and they are Tgot this feeling.they.are-feeding-him-about-how-h does. this tawcenforemeat e-can if he Henry, I said, Henry, in the paper they have you like a jerk the thing look terrible. Did I forget something?
1- No pretty well Clemmie.
jJ Can you think of anything else?
told PT that I wass going to come back tonight and he-seid ndhe said, said, there? no I can go and so I'm telling you he is he is scared and I don't know whet he's going to say tomorrow, I mean, I told him, I said, just say, you know, the ones that they can prove you didr do that maybe you didn't, but that that you have killed and for them to just investigate it andl said, don't stand there and say the only person you killed is your mother, you know and so he said, OK. Andl said I said, and if your mother is the only person you ever killed, then, I said I said, my life, I said, when the Lord is moy ing, there's peace in your heart andl said when satan is moving, there's a urgency andl said, I have never felt such urgency like you have to make a decision right sway. I have to get in a motel right sway I can't come back, to Georgetown everything like quick, quick, quick do, do, do. Andl said, that is satan, I said, that isn't the Lord because peace, when you do when you are following the Lord, there's peace, andl said, Henry, you aren't in peace and he said, I know it, I know it. Andl said so, so just don't i leave everything open until you can really think it clear. I said, leave it open so that the Rangers can come and Sheriff, and I said, but if you stand there and sayI only killed mother, and just so ne eepuie iseE EDAN andi have noida what he's going to say tomorrow at the Grand Jury.
to visit him tonight, Clemmie, the only thing to tell him is just tell the truth and tell it all.
But you see, they have him es they have him so thet the truth is thet he killed no one except his mother and that he has already paid for that.
he's supposed to tell is just the truth. Tell him to tell it and tell it all. I mean, hates
i But there something telling you, I there is something so wrong there, A Sheriff, I can sense it, you know. It's just like yesterday, I said said I feel like Henry wants a attorney and said end I feel he's just terrorized, you know, and he's so afraid and he is. I mean, it lot of times I have this I'm tier you, there is some evil going on there I don't know what.
a You think of gnything else you want to pad?
RET of something,
othe time 3: 35
NEN States Attorney Helen Eversberg gave the following Statement concerning Henry Lee Lucas:
Up to this time, I have remained silent concerning charges reveled at me by Texas Attorney General James Mattox that any actions I may have taken regarding Henry Lee Lucas were inappropriate calculated to disrupt the State Grand Jury investigation without cause. While I cannot and will not discuss any matters pending before the Federal Grand Jury, I can state unequivocally that Mattox' position concerning releasing Henry Lee Lucas to the Federal Grand Jury was unjustifiable.
On April 17, 1985, the United States attempted to interview Henry Lee Lucas the McLennan County Jail for a few minutes prior to his scheduled date Grand Jury appearance. McLennan County access to Lucas to the FBI, an act which brought about the necessity to writ Lucas to the San Antonio In pleadings filed in Federal Court yesterday and in a letter I had not consulted with the Justice Department in Washington.
fact, individuals in the appropriate division of the Justice Department were briefed on this matter, and continue to be updated on it.
He further charged that the Federal investigation was bogus that it was either based on some unknown Federal connection Lucas, or based on my align ment with Williamson County officials.
The fact that there might be an unknown Federal connection hardly makes an investigation bogus. Moreover, I have repeatedly offered Mr. Mattox to ask the Federal Court to order Mr. Lucas returned to McLennan County after his appearance.
Attorney General of Texas and the District Attorney of McLennan County would so vehemently oppose appearance by Lucas before a group of regular citizens, the Federal Grand Jury, for a short time, and was adamant that any interview be given in the McLennan County Jail Courthouse, given a Court order returning custody to McLennan County. It is also mystifying why he has made every end run he could think of to avoid ‘such appearance, including numerous phone calls to the Justice Department and the letter to Meese, and contacting other individuals who might bring pressure to bear on me to change my mind. It appears that of his fore most concerns in this entire matter is publicity, that he has said and done everything he could think;
Before The Grievance Committee for The State District no. The State Bar of Texas complaint against Ronald Moody no.
Agreed Judgment of Suspension
IT REMEMBERED that a complaint was docketed with the Grievance Committee for State Bar District No. State Bar of Texas, against Ronald Moody, a licensed attorney and member of the Bar of Texas, residing and maintaining an office in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, by the said Grievance Committee as complainant, alleging certain acts of professional misconduct on the part of said Ronald Moody, herein after referred to as "Respondent," occurred in McLennan County, Texas. The Committee has considered the complaint, and Respondent, after being duly notified of the complaint, submitted his response to the allegations, Committee, having considered the complaint, response, evidence submitted to it, makes the following findings of fact:
That Respondent, Ronald Moody, made large cash campaign contributions to District Attorney Vic Feazell; that such large campaign contributions appeared to influence Vic Feazell's actions as a public official; that such large cash contributions were solicited and accepted by Vic Feazell; that such large cash contributions had at least the appearance of and that respondent pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of failure to pay income tax, a violation of 26 US.C. 7203.
Based upon and in consideration of the above findings the Committee makes the following conclusions of law 7018255:6#2
That such conduct on the part of Ronald Moody constituted conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice and conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law in violation of DR and of the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
of the opinion that Respondent is guilty professional misconduct and should be disciplined, However, Committee further finds the existence of mitigating circumstances which warrant consideration by the Committee in connection imposition of disciplinary sanctions including the following:
That Respondent disclosed such conduct to government investigators and prosecutors; that Respondent cooperated with government investigators and prosecutors in connection with a criminal action against Vic Feazell; that Respondent testified truth fully in such criminal proceeding against Vic Feazell; that Respondent is remorseful with regard to such misconduct on his part; that Respondent has a good reputation in the community;
Respondent has already suffered by reason of damage to his law practice.
Considering the professional misconduct described above, the mitigating circumstances described above, the Committee is of the opinion that Respondent should be suspended from the practice law for one year. It further appears to the Committee that the best interest of the public and of Respondent will be served by suspending the imposition of the foregoing disciplinary sanction allowing Respondent to continue to practice law under probation a period of one year, subject to Respondent's compliance terms and conditions of probation set forth below, said period probation to begin on the date that Respondent agrees to the entry of this judgment by signing and having acknowledged the Consent Judgment form appended to the Agreed Judgment of Suspension.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the State of Texas for the imposition of such disciplinary sanction is hereby suspended subject to the following terms and conditions of probation;
Respondent shall comply with the following terms and conditions Probation for a period of one year beginning Respondent agrees to the entry of this Judgment:
1. That Respondent shall commit no offense against laws of this State or of any other State or of United States.
2. That Respondent shall commit no violation of any the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
3. That Respondent shall conform his conduct to the Code of Professional Responsibility governing the conduct of lawyers in the State of Texas.
ORDERED that for so long as Respondent complies foregoing terms and conditions of probation, the disciplinary sanction consisting of a one-year suspension of Respondent's license to practice law shall be suspended; but upon a finding Committee that Respondent has failed to comply with conditions of probation, such disciplinary sanction shall be forthwith imposed upon the making of such finding by the Committee, Respondent shall be suspended from the practice of law for one thereafter, and during such suspension shall be enjoined practicing law in the State of Texas, from holding himself out as an attorney at law, from performing any legal services for others, accepting any legal fee directly or indirectly, from appearing
any Texas court or before any Texas administrative holding himself out to others or using his name, in any manner, conjunction with the words "attorney," "attorney at law," "counselor at law," or "lawyer," and further shall thereupon be required immediately surrender his Texas law license and permanent Card to the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas.
This judgment shall become final upon the General Counsel the State Bar of Texas declining to appeal this Agreed Judgment signing the "Decline to Appeal" appended hereto, all in accordance with the provisions of the State Bar Rules governing of Texas.
accordance with Article 10, Section of the Rules Governing the State Bar of Texas, copies of this Judgment forwarded to the Executive Director of the State Bar of Texas, General Counsel of the State Bar of Texas, the Clerk of the Supreme Court of Texas, and the Clerk of the District Court of McLennan County, Texas, for entry upon the minutes of said Court, to be made a matter of record and appropriately recorded as the official action of the Committee.
Respondent is warned that he may expect no leniency as to the imposition of professional discipline for any future acts of professional misconduct.
SIGNED this aay of I gue 1987.
Consent to Judgment
In connection with charges of professional against me and considered misconduct filed by your Committee, I hereby consent to entry of the attached judgment in the form submitted to me purse to Article Section 14, of the State Bar Rules.
SIGNED this 2 day of 1987.
State of Texas, on this day personally appeared Ronald Moody, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed above, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and Consideration therein expressed.
On this day of 1987, I, Steven
Peterson, General Counsel State Bar of Texas, do hereby decline to appeal the attached judgme 5/5 en General Counsel, State Bar of Texas
Before The Grievance Committee for The State District no. The State Bar of Texas complaint against Kenneth Crow I no.
IT REMEMBERED that a complaint was docketed with the Grieyance Committee for State Bar District No. State Bar of Texas, against Kenneth Crow, a licensed attorney and member of the Bar of Texas, residing and maintaining an office in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, by the said Grievance Committee as complainant, alleging certain acts of professional misconduct on the part of said Kenneth Crow, herein after referred to as "Respondent," occurred in McLennan County, Texas. The Committee has considered the complaint, and Respondent, after being duly notified of the complaint, submitted his response to the allegations, Committee, having considered the complaint, response, evidence submitted to it, makes the following findings of fact:
That Respondent, Kenneth Crow, made large cash campaign contributions to District Attorney Vic Feazell; that such large campaign contributions appeared to influence Vic Feazell's actions as a public official; that such large cash contributions were solicited and accepted by Vic Feazell; that such large cash contributions had at least the appearance of and that respondent pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of failure to pay income tax, a violation of 26 US.C. 7203.
of the opinion that Respondent is guilty professional misconduct and should be disciplined. However, Committee further finds the existence of mitigating circumstances which warrant consideration by the Committee in connection imposition of disciplinary sanctions including the following:
That Respondent disclosed such conduct to government investigators and prosecutors; that Respondent cooperated with government investigators and prosecutors in connection with a criminal action against Vic Feazell; that Respondent is remorseful with regard to such misconduct on his part; that Respondent has a good reputation in the community; and that Respondent has already suffered by reason of damage to his law practice.
Considering the professional misconduct described above, the mitigating circumstances described above, the Committee is of the opinion that Respondent should be suspended from the practice law for one year. It further appears to the Committee interest of the public and of Respondent will be served by suspending the imposition of the foregoing disciplinary sanction allowing Respondent to continue to practice law under probation a period of one year, subject to Respondent's compliance terms and conditions of probation set forth below, said period probation to begin on the date that Respondent agrees to the entry of this judgment by signing and having acknowledged the Consent Judgment form appended to the Agreed Judgment of Suspension.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the State of Texas for the imposition of such disciplinary sanction is hereby suspended subject to the following terms and conditions of probation;
2. That Respondent shall commit no violation of any the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
3. That Respondent shall conform his conduct to the Code of Professional Responsibility governing the conduct of lawyers in the State of Texas.
ORDERED that for so long as Respondent complies foregoing terms and conditions of probation, the disciplinary sanction consisting of a one-year suspension of Respondent's license to practice law shall be suspended; but upon a finding Committee that Respondent has failed to comply with conditions of probation, such disciplinary sanction shall be forthwith imposed upon the making of such finding by the Committee, Respondent shall be suspended from the practice of law for one thereafter, and during such suspension shall be enjoined practicing law in the State of Texas, from holding himself out as an attorney at law, from performing any legal services for others, accepting any legal fee directly or indirectly, from appearing
Before The Grievance Committee for The State District no. The State Bar of Texas complaint against Donald Hall no.
IT REMEMBERED that a complaint was docketed with the Grievance Committee for State Bar District No. State Bar of Texas, against Donald 0. Hall, a licensed attorney and member Bar of Texas, residing and maintaining an office in Waco, McLennan County, Texas, by the said Grievance Committee as complainant, alleging certain acts of professional misconduct on the part of said Donald 0. Hall, herein after referred to as "Respondent," occurred in McLennan County, Texas. The Committee has considered the complaint, and Respondent, after being duly notified of the complaint, submitted his response to the allegations, Committee, having considered the complaint, response, evidence submitted to it, makes the following findings of fact:
That Respondent, Donald 0. Hall, admitted to the payment of bri bes by himself and his law firm to District Attorney Vic Feazell in exchange for the said District Attorney's favorable treatment and disposition of certain of Respondent's clients' cases and for the agreement of said District Attorney Vic Feazell to exercise his discretion as a public official in favor of certain of Respondent's clients, which bri bes were solicited, received, and accepted by Vic Feazell. Further, Respondent pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of failure to pay income tax, a violation of 26 US.C. 7203.
That the conduct of Respondent, Donald Hall, constituted violations of DR DR 2-107, DR and DR of the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
of the Opinion that Respondent is guilty professional misconduct and should be disciplined. However, Committee further finds the existence of mitigating circumstances which warrant consideration by the Committee in connection imposition of disciplinary sanctions including the following:
That Respondent disclosed the illegal conduct of himself and others to government investigators and prosecutors;
that Respondent cooperated with government investigators and prosecutors in connection with a criminal action against Vic Feazell, at potential risk to Respondent and his family; that Respondent testified truth fully and with candor in such criminal proceeding against Vic Feazell;
that Respondent is remorseful with regard to such misconduct on his part; that Respondent has a good reputation in the community; that Respondent has already suffered punishment by reason of his remorse, a period of confinement in jail, damage to his law practice, shame and that Respondent is in very poor health and suffers from serious illnesses and personal problems; that Respondent has a history of participation in community service activities; and that Respondent has no prior disciplinary record.
Considering the professional misconduct described above, the mitigating circumstances described above, the Committee the opinion that Respondent should be suspended from the practice law for three years. It further appears to the Committee best interest of the public and of Respondent will be served suspending the imposition of the foregoing disciplinary sanction allowing Respondent to continue to practice law under probation a period of three years, subject to Respondent's compliance terms and conditions of probation set forth below, said period
Probation to begin on the date that Respondent agrees to the entry of this judgment by signing and having acknowledged the Consent Judgment form appended to the Agreed Judgment of Suspension.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the State of Texas for three years;
ts That Respondent shall commit no offense against laws of this State or of any other State or of the United States.
2. That Respondent shall commit no violation the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
3. That Respondent shall conform his conduct of Professional Responsibility governing the conduct of lawyers in the State of Texas.
ORDERED that for so long as Respondent complies foregoing terms and conditions of probation, the disciplinary sanction consisting of a three-year suspension of Respondent's license to practice law shall be suspended; but upon a finding the Committee that Respondent has failed to comply and conditions of probation, such disciplinary sanction forthwith imposed upon the making of such finding by the Committee, and Respondent shall be suspended from the practice of law years thereafter, and during such suspension shall be enjoined
Before The Grievance Committee for The State District no. The State Bar of Texas complaint against Walter Dick Kettler 1 no. Waco, Texas Agreed Judgment of Suspension
IT REMEMBERED that a complaint was docketed with the Grievance Committee for State Bar District No. State Bar of Texas, against Walter Dick Kettler, a licensed attorney and member of the State Bar of Texas, residing and maintaining an office McLennan County, Texas, by the said Grievance Committee as complainant, alleging certain acts of professional misconduct on the part of said Walter Dick Kettler, herein after referred to as "Respondent, which occurred in McLennan County, Texas. The Committee sidered the complaint, and Respondent, after being duly notified the complaint, submitted his response to the allegations, and the Committee, having considered the complaint, response, evidence submitted to it, makes the following findings of fact:
his law firm to District Attorney Vic Feazell in exchange for the said District Attorney's favorable treatment and disposition of clients' cases and for the agreement of said District Attorney Vic Feazell to exercise his discretion as a public official in favor of clients of Respondent's law partner and law firm, which bri bes were solicited, received, and accepted by Vic Feazell. Further, Respondent pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor offense of failure to pay income tax, a violation of 26 US.C. 7203.
That the conduct of Respondent, Walter Dick Kettler, constituted violations of certain of the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas, including DR
of the opinion that Respondent is guilty professional misconduct and should be disciplined. However, Committee further finds the existence of mitigating circumstances which warrant consideration by the Committee in connection imposition of disciplinary sanctions including the following:
That Respondent was among the first to disclose the illegal conduct of himself and others to government investigators and prosecutors; that Respondent cooperated fully with and assisted government investigators and prosecutors in connection with a criminal action against Vic Feazell, at potential risk to Respondent and his family; that Respondent testified truth fully and with candor and forthrightness in such criminal proceeding against Vic Feazell; that Respondent is truly remorseful and repentant with regard to such misconduct on his part;
that Respondent has a good reputation in the community among both lawyers and that many citizens and respected members of the community have attested to Respondent's good character and repentance and have urged that he be accorded leniency; that Respondent has already suffered immeasurably by reason of his intense remorse and the discredit which he feels he has brought on himself, his family, and his profession.
Considering the professional misconduct described above, the mitigating circumstances described above, the Committee is of the opinion that Respondent should be suspended from the practice law for one year. It further appears to the Committee that the best interest of the public and of Respondent will be served by suspending the imposition of the foregoing disciplinary sanction allowing Respondent to continue to practice law under probation a period of one year, subject to Respondent's compliance terms and conditions of probation set forth below, said period 7018252:5#1
probation to begin on the date that Respondent agrees to the of this judgment. by signing and having acknowledged the Consent Judgment form appended to the Agreed Judgment of Suspension.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that Respondent is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the State of Texas the imposition of such disciplinary sanction is hereby suspended subject to the following terms and conditions of probation; and that Respondent shall comply with the following terms and conditions probation for a period of one year beginning Respondent agrees to the entry of this Judgment:
1. That Respondent shall commit no offense against laws of this State or of any other State or of United States.
2. That Respondent shall commit no violation of any the Disciplinary Rules of the State Bar of Texas.
3. That Respondent shall conform his conduct to the Code of Professional Responsibility governing the conduct of lawyers in the State of Texas.
ORDERED that for so long as Respondent complies foregoing terms and conditions of Probation, the disciplinary sanction consisting of a one-year suspension of Respondent's license to practice law shall be suspended; but upon a finding by the Committee that Respondent has failed to comply conditions of probation, such disciplinary sanction shall be forthwith ‘imposed upon the making of such finding by the Committee, Respondent shall be suspended from the practice of law for one thereafter, and during such suspension shall be enjoined
Before The grizvance Committee for The State sar District State Bar of Texas complaint against Dick. Clark Waco, Texas
ME REPR After. considering the, complaint Committee: for State District Grievance tte made the--fehiewing against pick Clark, the said ndings:
and The Committee. found MEE cause to "believe Attorneys vic canpsign conscibubions to; District AE for the, purpose public that. such as chat influence Wie ance inproprietyr administration ‘ot justice Disciplinary Rules of the state Bat Texas for finds that Dick Clark is geil houla be disciplined. met ther finds “mitigating ch warrant con sis "eircemstances ini favor of Dick Clark, "Whi ittee's ff such mitigating circumstances. include the Comm
Dick Clark was the first the first. ‘to suc) jeonduct 7 that, ‘Clark such proceeding against. Vie, Feazell; “that Bek Clark remorseful with regard: to Such misconduct on his part and Clark hasa. reputation in the community.
Considering the nature of the professional misconduct described, ebove, and pking into consideration the mitigating circuntences described above, a REPRIMAND is hereby voted against. Dick by the Grievance Committee for State Bar, District NO.*8-B, CO of Texas, for professional misconduct as herein above set.forth.
This Reprimand ‘is to be. made matter of ‘record "appropriately recorded, and in accordance with rti cie 10, Section of the State Bar Rules, is to sbe Published in the. Texas. Bar. with copies forwarded to the Executive Director ot. th: State Bar Texas, “the Clerk ot. the Supreme Court ze Texas, the onrar Counsel State Bar of Texas, and the Clerk, of the District Court of, a County Texas, to be made matter of and appro pri “ately official action of Dick Clark' is warned that he may no leniency to the imposition of professional Hor further acts of professional misconduct.
State of Texas, on this day personally appeared Dick Clark, known to to be the person whose name is subscribed above, and acknowledged to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.