The state’s highest criminal court has refused to consider the appeal sought by a Dallas County man, convicted of murder more than six years ago for the brutal beating death of a Greenville resident during an armed robbery.
Travis Lynn Watson of Dallas was sentenced in September 2006 to 55 years in prison for the murder of Walter Lee Byrd Neal.
Wednesday, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Watson’s writ of habeas corpus without issuing a written order.
Watson was facing a sentence of up to life in prison, after pleading guilty to one count of murder in connection with the attack, in which a second victim was seriously injured.
Watson will have to serve half of his sentence of 27 and one-half years in prison before he will be eligible to be considered for parole.
Watson had originally been indicted for both capital murder and aggravated robbery.
Watson later waived his right to a jury trial and entered the guilty plea to a reduced charge of first degree murder, with no agreement as to the potential punishment.
Watson pleaded guilty to being a party in Neal’s death and admitted guilt for the robbery.
Watson had been on the run for 17 months before being caught on Nov. 19, 2004 by the U.S. Marshal’s Service at a college for data entry clerks and beauticians in Baton Rouge, La.
Prosecutors had previously announced they would be seeking the death penalty in the case, should Watson be convicted of capital murder.
Watson’s co-actor, Lavace Durell Morgan of Farmersville, entered a plea of guilty in January, 2005 to a lesser charge of murder, agreed to testify against Watson and received a sentence of life in prison.
The indictments accuse Watson and Morgan of using a knife, hammer and/or their fists and feet to attack Neal and another man during a June 5, 2003 robbery.
Top News
Appeal denied in 2006 murder case
- Top News
-
-
Online city auction starting today
The City of Greenville is selling off dozens of items of used vehicles and equipment, in an online auction scheduled to start today.
- A flying start to the Dog Days of Summer
-
Haggard concert set this week
Country music fans have a chance this week to catch a legend performing live at Greenville Municipal Auditorium (GMA).
-
Juneteenth celebration scheduled
A Juneteenth observance is scheduled Wednesday in Greenville.
-
Parades, picnic, fireworks set for July 4
Greenville will be celebrating Independence Day with parades, a picnic, music and fireworks.
-
McKenzie: ‘Fee waivers hurt department’
Dozens of supervision fees waved by Judge Steve Tittle will cost the probation department hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue and affect the department’s ability to supervise probationers, according to Hunt County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (HCCSCD) Director Jim McKenzie.
-
Developers talking purchase of city water
Developers behind a major residential community project planned for southern Hunt County are scheduled to meet next week.
-
Hundreds sign up for CodeRED
During the past two months, hundreds of local residents have signed on to receive automatic messages sent to their home, cell or smart phones, warning them of an emergency occurring in the community.
-
Most Wanted fish
The area’s youngest anglers will get a chance at three hours of fun and fishing Friday, as law enforcement officials again remember one of their own.
-
Updates on economic projects scheduled
The board of the Greenville 4A Economic Development Corporation plans to hear updates next week on several key projects in the city.
- More Top News Headlines
-
Online city auction starting today
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Fla. Teen Catches Ride With Whale Shark
G8 Leaders Huddle on Syria
Raw: Obama, Putin Meet at G8
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Daughter: Mandela Doing 'Very Well'
Investigators Probe Origin of Colo. Wildfire
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
'Game of Thrones' Boosts N. Ireland
Raw: Prince Philip Leaves Hospital After Surgery
Zimmerman Jury Selection Turns to Media Exposure
Raw: FBI Meets Plane After Poison Threat
Family Tweets Say Kim Kardashian Gives Birth
US, EU Leaders Announce Free Trade Talks
