50-year sentence for McCurdy

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November 19, 2012

50-year sentence for McCurdy

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Mon Nov 19, 2012, 11:17 PM CST

GREENVILLE — Tyrone Leorone McCurdy was sentenced to prison Monday, after he was found guilty of one count of murder in connection with the death of Treybbian Leeky Nelson.

Following a punishment hearing, the jury in the 196th District Court deliberated for about three hours before returning Monday evening with a 50-year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division, according to Hunt County District Attorney Noble D. Walker Jr.

“The evidence in this case clearly showed that the defendant committed this offense,” Walker said. “We’re certainly pleased the jury found the defendant guilty and that Mr. Nelson’s family was there to see him receive the 50 years.”

The same panel had found McCurdy guilty of murder Friday, following a four-day trial.

Walker commended his assistant Lauren Hudgeons for her work in obtaining the conviction as well as the Greenville Police Department, particularly Officers Mike Johnston, Jaime Fuller, and Wesley Russell, for their work in investigating the offense and apprehending the defendant.

Due to his prior criminal history, McCurdy was considered a habitual offender and was facing a maximum punishment of from 25 to 99 years or life in prison.

McCurdy had pleaded not guilty. McCurdy’s attorney has argued McCurdy acted in self-defense, claiming Nelson had a weapon which was removed from the crime scene before officers arrived.

Bernard Dale Kelly Jr., also of Greenville, currently has trial scheduled in December and has also pleaded not guilty.

Officers with the Greenville Police Department responded to a call of shots fired in the 1000 block of Edgar Street on the afternoon of February 8, 2011 where they found Nelson had been shot.

McCurdy, Kelly and an unnamed juvenile were alleged to have “knowingly and intentionally” caused Nelson’s death by shooting him with a firearm; or in the alternative, to have caused Nelson’s death by shooting him or in his direction while having the intent to commit aggravated assault.