News from the Lone Star State

[TexasStooge]

BREAKING NEWS - Traffic

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Southbound I-35E is shut down at Commonwealth Drive due to an overturned truck leaking cement and diesel fuel.
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[TexasStooge]

Execution set for Arlington teen's killer

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — Federal appeals are pending as Texas prepares for Wednesday's scheduled execution of death row inmate Robert Neville.

Neville and Michael Wayne Hall were condemned for the 1998 killing of a Amy Robinson, a mentally challenged woman who lived in Arlington.

Prosecutors said the 19-year-old victim never suspected the two men she knew from her job at an Arlington area supermarket would want to hurt her.

Neville and Hall were later stopped at a customs checkpoint near Eagle Pass. They told authorities where to find Robinson's body in a grassy field in the Trinity River bottoms.

Earllier this week, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals declined to halt the execution.

The defense said lethal drugs used for execution are unconstitutionally cruel, and that Neville may be mentally retarded and ineligible for execution.

No execution date has been set for Hall.

[TexasStooge]

Teen killed in Stemmons wreck

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A 16-year-old boy who was a passenger in a speeding Mustang was killed late Tuesday when the teen driver lost control and the car rolled several times on Interstate 35E, police said.

Jesus Hernandez was ejected from the vehicle and taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, were he later died. Valentin Hernandez, 12, was taken to Children's Medical Center Dallas with broken arms, Sr. Cpl. Max Geron said.

Judy Thurman, a spokeswoman for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, confirmed that Jesus was a student at R.L. Turner High School and Valentin is his brother.

Witnesses told police the car was traveling about 100 mph and then swerved before it overturned about 11 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the interstate near Glenda Lane.

The driver and another passenger, both 16-year-old boys, fled on foot but were later taken into custody at their homes, Geron said. Police then took the driver to Parkland, where he was being treated for a cut on his arm.

The driver will be charged with criminally negligent homicide, Geron said.

DallasNews.com and WFAA.com contributed to this report.
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Live Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse

[TexasStooge]

Cause of teen's death unclear

Adamson player found dead in locker room

DALLAS, Texas (The Dallas Morning News) - Medical examiners were working Wednesday to determine why a 15-year-old Dallas boy was found dead in a high school locker room minutes before he was to play in a Tuesday evening basketball game.

Jeremy Thomas, a freshman at Oak Cliff's W.H. Adamson High School, had gone to a locker room restroom at the school during the third quarter of a girl's basketball game, said Donald Claxton, spokesman for the school district.

Someone discovered him about 5:45 p.m., just minutes before his freshman basketball team was to tip off against Seagoville High School, Claxton said. The game was canceled.

The teenager was taken to Methodist Dallas Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

There was no blood or signs of foul play at the scene, police said.

"We are investigating it as an unexplained death," Sr. Cpl. Max Geron said.

Claxton said counselors were at the school Tuesday night and will be there today. Students will also have the opportunity to write goodbye messages to Thomas on a large piece of paper that will eventually be presented to his family.

"We are trying to have as normal a day as possible, and help students with the grieving process," Claxton said.

The district spokesman said school officials are consulting with the health department and the hospital to find out the cause of death.

"We're not going to rule out anything," he said. "We're looking at all possibilities until we have an official ruling" from the medical examiner.

Officials told WFAA ABC 8 that Jeremy was a popular student who played baseball, football and basketball.

[TexasStooge]

Suspect held after standoff

Dallas: Man fires on police, resists tear gas, gives up after 8 hours

By HOLLY YAN / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - A parolee who held Dallas police at bay during a lengthy standoff in Far East Dallas is facing several charges, a Dallas police spokesman said Wednesday.

Dallas Daniels, 44, of Dallas fired at officers several times and resisted tear gas before surrendering Tuesday night after eight hours, police said.

He was being held Wednesday in the Dallas County jail on charges of aggravated assault on a public servant and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, both felonies, as well as warrants for traffic and parole violations, Sr. Cpl. Max Geron said.

The standoff started about 12:30 p.m. at the Eastfield Village Apartments near the 8400 block of La Prada Drive, just off Interstate 30 near the Mesquite border.

Lt. Rick Watson said officers were responding to a disturbance call. A person tipped off police that Daniels had outstanding warrants, including one for parole violation, police said.

When officers tried to reach the man inside an apartment, he fired a shot through the wall. Nearby apartments were evacuated. Police fired many rounds of tear gas, but the man did not emerge. Shortly before 5 p.m., a fire broke out in the apartment, but it was extinguished in about five minutes. A firecracker-like device used by police may have started the blaze.

The man surrendered about 8:45 p.m. and was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital for observation, Lt. Watson said.

[TexasStooge]

Cement mixer flips, shuts down I-35E

By ALAN MELSON / DallasNews.com

DALLAS, Texas - A cement mixer overturned on Interstate 35E Wednesday, snarling traffic and forcing police to shut down all southbound lanes for most of the morning.

Police said the truck flipped on its side shortly before 9 a.m. just south of Commonwealth Drive, and began leaking diesel fuel and wet cement onto the roadway.

Dallas Fire-Rescue Lt. Joel Lavender said the department dispatched its hazardous materials unit to deal with the spill.

"With new rules and laws and EPA restrictions, we have to make sure to account for the diesel that is inside - what has escaped and what is captured," Lt. Lavender said.

All southbound traffic was forced to exit at Commonwealth, leading to a significant backup.

Police said the nature of the cleanup may keep the highway closed for several hours.


WFAA ABC 8
The truck leaked fuel and cement across southbound I-35E.
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[TexasStooge]

Perk of public office: discount furniture

Critics fault officials' exclusive deal with prisons

By DAVE MICHAELS / The Dallas Morning News

AUSTIN, Texas – When Sen. Eddie Lucio built his South Texas dream home in 2003, he chose an unusual place to shop for furniture: Texas prisons.

For the dining room, inmates fashioned a table with the state seal on it, 10 chairs and six bar stools. For a private chapel, they constructed four kneelers, 12 chairs, a holy water font and two altar chairs. Total cost: $6,319.

"I liked the idea of getting things done handcrafted and by prisoners," said Mr. Lucio, a Democrat. "That is unique. It is a subject of conversation when people come visit me. I say, 'I ordered it from our own prisoners here.' "

Mr. Lucio is one of dozens of lawmakers to buy items over the last three years from Texas Correctional Industries, a division of the state prison system that manufactures, among other things, furniture, signs and clothing. It gives inmates a chance to develop a trade or skill and saves state agencies money because, with no labor costs, items sell for far less than those from private businesses.

And for lawmakers, buying the discounted goods is a perk of office.

Suzy Woodford, Texas director of Common Cause, a government watchdog group, said state lawmakers should have to pay market price if the items are for personal use and not available to all Texans.

"Allowing lawmakers to take advantage of not having to pay what they would pay at a retail store, and using it strictly for personal use, does not look good," Ms. Woodford said.

Rep. Tony Goolsby, a Dallas Republican who is close to Mr. Lucio, said there's nothing wrong with personal purchases. Mr. Goolsby has an $1,100 replica of a historic desk from the Texas Capitol in his apartment in Austin.

"We're all born the same way, but we're not equal," he said. "Everybody gets perks."

State law allows Texas Correctional Industries to sell to the public, but a longstanding policy of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice limits personal sales to lawmakers, department employees and board members.

Mr. Lucio's order was the largest personal purchase in the last several years.

Many of his colleagues used campaign funds to buy items such as barbecue grills and bedroom furniture at prices far below retail.

Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, had a bed frame, a dresser and a nightstand refinished in November for $219. Mr. Williams did not return phone calls seeking comment.

Nate Crain, whose wife leads the criminal justice department's board, placed three orders together worth about $1,000 from Texas Correctional Industries in 2004 and 2005. Mr. Crain, a former Dallas County Republican Party chairman who is exploring a run for the chairmanship of the statewide party, reported in campaign records that he bought items as gifts for his volunteers and a Republican women's group.

Board Chairman Christina Melton Crain said it was acceptable for her to order the items for her husband.

"I am allowed to order them and, as my spouse, he is allowed to pay for them," Ms. Crain said.

Mr. Crain said he didn't know whether the gifts, which included pillows and duffel bags, were more or less expensive than they would be at a retail store.

John Benestante, the director of Texas Correctional Industries, said his agency could refuse a sale to a sanctioned client only if it knew that the customer intended to resell the item. The decision to restrict public sales was made before he took over the division, Mr. Benestante said.

State employees and lawmakers accounted for 1 percent of his department's sales in 2005, according to agency figures.

Over the years, lawmakers have mostly used the service to outfit their statehouse offices or buy gifts such as gavels and flag-boxes for constituents. Chairmen of legislative committees often buy Texas Correctional Industries' decorative chairs and tables for their committee members.

Lawmakers often pay for those items with campaign funds.

In 2004, Rep. Burt Solomons, a Carrollton Republican, paid $2,135 for five wet bars for his staff, according to his campaign finance report. They were emblazoned with the state seal.

Mr. Solomons said the gift was to thank his staff for their hard work. He said it was allowable because he didn't order them for his own use.

"Let's say I had a restaurant and I bought five for my restaurant," he said. "That would be inappropriate."

Mr. Lucio paid for his furniture with personal funds, Mr. Lucio said. His purchase allowed inmates to practice their trade, he said.

"I paid with my own funds and never felt I was violating any rules," Mr. Lucio said. "If people want to change that, I can live with it."

For some lawmakers, the perk extends beyond their tenure. Some legislators have ordered items for their former colleagues, who can no longer order for themselves.

Rep. Mary Denny, who is retiring after this year, ordered a headboard and nightstand for former Rep. Jim Horn in 2004.

"If a legislator can buy it, anybody should be able to buy it," said Mr. Horn, who retired from representing his Denton district in 1999.

Rep. Vicki Truitt, a Southlake Republican, has purchased nine barbecue grills and smokers since 2003, according to state records. Texas Correctional Industries sold the smokers for $155, and they fetched between $900 and $2,000 each in charity auctions for hospitals, Meals on Wheels and therapeutic centers, Ms. Truitt said.

Ms. Truitt bought smokers for her husband and sons-in-law, she said, paying with personal funds.

Ray Allen, a former legislator from Grand Prairie who resigned last month, had inmates build him a gun cabinet in 2003, state records show. Along with a table, the order cost $2,089, records show.

And 15 days before he resigned, Mr. Allen ordered a 7-foot bench made of cherry wood for $400.

Mr. Goolsby has been Texas Correctional Industries' best legislative customer for several years. He spent $12,800 in 2004 and $7,700 in 2005, according to state records. In 2004, he spent $6,600 on flags and flag boxes, his favorite gift for constituents and supporters.

"People will display it and appreciate it," he said. "Someone is going to see it and maybe go vote for me. Everything an elected official does is to get re-elected."

[TexasStooge]

Three convicted over deadly human smuggling attempt

HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) -- A federal jury in Houston has convicted three members of a ring connected to the nation's deadliest human smuggling attempt.

Convicted today were three South Texans -- Victor Sanchez Rodriguez; his wife, Emma Sapata Rodriguez; and her half-sister, Rosa Sarrata Gonzalez.

They were part of a smuggling ring that jammed more than 70 immigrants into an airtight tractor-trailer for shipment from South Texas to Houston in May 2003. Instead, the trailer was abandoned near Victoria, and 19 immigrants died.

All face life in prison.

The jury of nine men and three women deliberated about 13-and-a-half hours over four days before returning its verdict. Yesterday, the jury reported it was deadlocked, but U-S District Judge Vanessa Gilmore directed them to continue deliberations.

[TexasStooge]

BREAKING NEWS

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Dallas ISD trustee Hollis Brashear, the longest-tenured board member, has unexpectedly submitted his resignation. Details to come.

[TexasStooge]

Man faces execution for slaying

Defense arguing Neville is mentally ill

By JEFF MOSIER / The Dallas Morning News

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Eight years ago this month, Robert Neville Jr. and Michael Hall decided they were in the "mood to kill someone."

They discussed shooting a black person but changed their minds and agreed that former grocery store co-worker Amy Robinson was an easy target. The 19-year-old was mentally challenged, more than a foot shorter than either man and probably thought of them as friends.

Three weeks after she disappeared, Amy was found shot to death with a pellet gun and a .22-caliber rifle in an isolated Fort Worth field. Today, Mr. Neville, 31, is scheduled to die by injection for that crime.

"You hope that it brings the family some closure," said David Montague, spokesman for the Tarrant County district attorney's office. "You don't know that it will, but you hope it does."

Mr. Montague said the murder of Ms. Robinson was a shocking case that horrified people like few others. She was a trusting woman with the mind of a 14-year-old girl, and her killers boasted on television about torturing her before shooting her to death.

They were arrested while trying to escape into Mexico.

"She was such a young and innocent person," Mr. Montague said. "When some of the details came out about how she was tormented before she was killed, it struck a chord with people. It was brutal and senseless."

Mr. Hall was also sentenced to death, but an execution date has not been set for him. In May, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejected a claim that Mr. Hall was mentally retarded at the time of the crime and should be spared the death penalty.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2002 that mentally retarded people cannot be executed.

Attorneys representing Mr. Neville are making similar arguments this week to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in an attempt to stop the execution. Fort Worth attorney Rick Alley is asking the court to give mentally ill inmates, such as Mr. Neville, the same protection from execution as mentally retarded people and minors.

Mr. Neville suffers from lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that in his case attacks the brain, Mr. Alley said. He said the illness makes his client act irrationally and dangerously and often gives him "psychopathic tendencies."

"He is so mentally ill that to execute him would be cruel and unusual punishment," Mr. Alley said.

Barring a stay of execution, Mr. Neville will be given four hours Wednesday morning to spend with family and friends at the Polunsky Unit near Livingston, Texas.

After that, he'll be transferred to the Huntsville Unit. There, Mr. Neville will receive a last meal and could meet with attorneys and a spiritual adviser.

About 6 p.m., the execution will begin. Ms. Robinson's mother, two sisters and one current and one retired Arlington police officer are expected to witness the execution, state officials said.

Ms. Robinson's grandmother Carolyn Barker, who became an outspoken victims' rights advocate after her granddaughter's death, is not scheduled to attend the execution. She lobbied for workplace laws to protect minors and mentally retarded people from felons and helped create Our Garden of Angels, a sanctuary for families of homicide victims.

Ray Stewart, a friend of Mrs. Barker and former victim liaison with the Tarrant County district's attorney's office, said the creation of the garden with its more than 80 crosses has been cathartic for Ms. Robinson's family.

"It was a chance to meditate on the good parts of life," he said. "Carolyn turned her attention to helping others survive through something like that. It strengthened her and gave her purpose."

[TexasStooge]

Video captures officer, homeless confrontation

By REBECCA LOPEZ / WFAA ABC 8

DALLAS, Texas - A City Hall police officer was caught on tape spraying a homeless man with mace and then throwing him on the ground in what appeared to be an unjustified confrontation Tuesday in front of the Day Resource Center.

James Waghorne said he always has his camera ready to take pictures of the homeless, and he was the one who captured the incident after he saw the officer and Darren Green arguing.

"I couldn't believe what I was watching," Waghorne said. "My hands were shaking. He just literally attacked Mr. Green."

The video showed Green walking away when Officer Ronald Matlock sprayed mace in his face and then wrestled him to the ground.

"He was bleeding from his hand, and of course all the mace in his eyes," Waghorne said. "He was trying to wipe that out. He was thrown against the chain link fence...and he had marks on his back."

City officials who saw the tape said Officer Matlock's behavior was unacceptable.

"I expect the behavior of all our employees to treat all our citizens appropriately [and] respectfully and this does not appear to be what happened," said Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm. "...We will not accept that at all."

Green wasn't arrested, but he was given a ticket for disorderly conduct.

Waghorne got Green's reaction shortly after the incident.

"He came outside and started harassing me, and I told him I wasn't bothering anybody," Green said.

Advocates said officers have been mistreating the homeless since the city declared a zero tolerance policy on illegal behavior by the homeless.

"It is an open hunting season on the homeless," Waghorne said.


WFAA ABC 8
James Waghorne taped an officer spraying mace at a homeless man's face for what he said seemed like no reason.

[TexasStooge]

Students receive threats of rape, death in letters

By KARIN KELLY / WFAA ABC 8

FORT WORTH, Texas - Fort Worth police, with the help of the FBI, are conducting an investigation into threats of rape and murder that were sent to three female students at Paschal High School in the form of letters.

School officials insist Paschal High School remains safe, and the Fort Worth Police Department has stepped up patrols outside the school.

The targeted students have not been identified, but each received a threatening letter a week ago. One recipient was said to have found two typed pages in her locker.

The letters have not been released, but they are described by a student as computer printouts signed the name "Terrorist God."

"They are of a very violent [and] threatening nature," said Gene Jones, Fort Worth Police Department.

Fort Worth police joined Melody Johnson, Fort Worth School superintendent, to assure parents that the children are safe.

"Students' safety and security is always the top priority," Johnson said.

As part of the investigation, 150 Paschal employees, including teachers, were asked to answer an eight page questionnaire concerning their arrival on January 31 and their activities.

"We are looking at anyone who could possibly be responsible for it," Johnson said.

Police said it is possible the letters could be a prank and a sick joke, but they are not taking any chances.

"This is the culture we're living in and it's too bad," said parent Lisa Davis. "[It's] a shame. I don't think it's a reflection on Paschal."

[TexasStooge]

Keist elementary teacher dies from meningitis

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - Tests confirmed Regina Tristan, a Dallas elementary teacher, died of bacterial meningitis Saturday after going home sick Friday.

Officials said the type of meningitis the third grade teacher who taught at Kiest Elementary had is contagious, but rarely causes infections in people.

Health officials said anyone who would have gotten sick would probably already have symptoms, which include a fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and light sensitivity.

There are no plans to give antibiotics to any students at Kiest Elementary, authorities said.

However, some parents said they will take their own precautions.

"When you don't know what's going on and then you see it on the news, it makes it seem more serious than it really probably is," said parent Charity Gaulding. "But just until we're for sure...we're going to keep our boys home."

[TexasStooge]

Dallas detective accused of indecent exposure

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A Dallas homicide detective was arrested Wednesday for indecent exposure.

Police said Steven Reideler, 46, was in his car on a residential street in the 200 block of Kailey Way in Coppell when someone saw him expose himself.

Reideler turned himself and was placed on administrative leave. He was released on a $500 bond.

[TexasStooge]

Arlington teen killer apologizes before execution

HUNTSVILLE, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/AP) — Convicted killer Robert Neville Junior apologized before being executed tonight over the torture-slaying of a mentally impaired woman.

The victim was 19-year-old Amy Robinson of Arlington.

Another man convicted in the 1998 killing - Michael Wayne Hall - is on death row, but his execution date has yet to be set.

Neville, in his final statement, apologized and addressed the victim's mother by name as she and her two daughters witnessed the execution being carried out.

Neville expressed love to them, saying, quote:

"I hope you can find it in yourselves to forgive me and I hope all this here will kind of settle your pain. And I hope the Lord will give you comfort and peace. I just want you to know I am very sorry for what I have done."

Neville also said, quote:

"If I see Amy on the other side, I will tell her how much you love and miss her. And we will have a lot to talk about."

Neville then turned toward his parents, and said, quote: "I am sorry for putting you through all this pain and stuff. I love you all and I will see you on the other side."

[TexasStooge]

Teen killed in Stemmons wreck

DALLAS, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A 16-year-old boy who was a passenger in a speeding Mustang was killed late Tuesday when the teen driver lost control and the car rolled several times on Interstate 35E, police said.

Jesus Hernandez was ejected from the vehicle and taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital, were he later died. Valentin Hernandez, 12, was taken to Children's Medical Center Dallas with broken arms, Sr. Cpl. Max Geron said.

Judy Thurman, a spokeswoman for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch School District, confirmed that Jesus was a student at R.L. Turner High School and Valentin is his brother.

Witnesses told police the car was traveling about 100 mph and then swerved before it overturned about 11 p.m. in the northbound lanes of the interstate near Glenda Lane.

The driver and another passenger, both 16-year-old boys, fled on foot but were later taken into custody at their homes, Geron said. Police then took the driver to Parkland, where he was being treated for a cut on his arm.

The driver has been charged with criminally negligent homicide and two counts of failure to stop to render aid.

R.L. Turner High School pupils are grieving today, and some are receiving counseling.

This is the second time in two months a pupil from the school has been killed in a car crash.

DallasNews.com and WFAA.com contributed to this report.
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[TexasStooge]

Trustee Brashear to leave Dallas ISD board

Veteran cites multiple reasons, says racial strife had effect

By TAWNELL D. HOBBS and KENT FISCHER / The Dallas Morning News

DALLAS, Texas - At a time when black Dallas school board members increasingly find themselves at odds with a majority of Hispanic and white trustees over key issues, the senior black trustee said Wednesday that he plans to resign.

Hollis Brashear, who has served nearly 14 years as a Dallas Independent School District trustee, plans to leave the board in May. He gave several reasons for the pending departure including spending more time with his wife, who was recently ill, and expanding his engineering company.

Mr. Brashear also said racial strife on the board was having an effect on him.

"Our board meetings have become very stressful in the past year," he said. "When you've been on the board as long as I have, you like things to go a lot smoother with a level of stability."

The resignation has shocked some school board members who questioned Wednesday why Mr. Brashear is leaving. Trustee Ron Price attributed it in part to racial tensions that have marked several recent high-profile discussions.

"There's a sense that the board is going backward," said Mr. Price, who is black. "It's the race issue that's on the table at every meeting. There's not even an off month."

A divide on issues

Black and Hispanic trustees have split on some big issues in the last year. Some of the more prominent ones involved creation of a policy requiring some principals to become bilingual and a decision to reduce spending for individual trustees' pet projects.

Mr. Brashear said that the spending reduction probably caused the biggest split on the board. The three black trustees hotly contested the cut, saying it would prevent them from publishing newsletters and hosting recognition luncheons for parents and teachers. At the time, Mr. Brashear called the spending limit "institutionally racist." On Wednesday, he was more tempered.

"It appeared that a faction of the board went out of their way to pick a fight over the issue," he said.

Trustee Joe May, however, said he doesn't see a racial split on the board. Mr. May, a Hispanic who proposed the bilingual principal measure and at one time sided more with black trustees, said his disagreements with black trustees have arisen when he has sought more resources for Hispanic students and teachers.

Some trustees said Mr. Brashear's long service on the board will be missed, but others say it's an opportunity for a fresh beginning.

Trustee Nancy Bingham said she believes that the district needs fresh perspectives.

"I respect Hollis and he has served well, but perhaps a change is good," Ms. Bingham said. "To me this an exciting time of change. So many things are starting to come to fruition that we're excited about."

Trustee Jerome Garza expressed similar sentiments.

"Hollis has served the district a very long time, and we should honor that service – it's a volunteer job, and it takes a lot of time away from your family," Mr. Garza said. "However, I'm looking forward to a new trustee with new eyes and ears and fresh ideas."

Saluting his service

Mr. Brashear's resignation letter to school board President Lois Parrott is short, just two sentences, and doesn't give a reason for his departure. Dr. Parrott said she tried to talk him out of resigning.

"He's been such a tremendous service to our school district," she said, adding that Mr. Brashear had nothing negative to say about his time on the board. "He said he likes the way that the district is going and he would continue to be involved."

Dr. Parrott informed other trustees of the resignation Wednesday.

"When Lois called me, I had denial," trustee Lew Blackburn said. "I think it will be a lot different on the board. We kind of relied on him for experience."

The District 6 post in southwest Dallas is expected to attract much attention in the May 13 school board elections. Since Mr. Brashear gained the seat in 1992, he's been a formidable opponent at the polls – easily fending off multiple challengers.

"I absolutely know that there would be interest in that seat," said Bruce Sherbet, Dallas County elections supervisor. "When an incumbent seat opens up quickly and unexpectedly, there is always some scurrying around to see if it's feasible to run."

Such events, Mr. Sherbet said, often mean that four or five candidates will throw their hat in the ring, which almost always guarantees a runoff election.

"It's definitely an interesting situation," Mr. Sherbet added. "An open seat where everybody has an equal shot, a level playing field."

Trustee Jack Lowe has an idea of the type of person he'd like to see in the post. Somebody "with no selfish interests, somebody who wants to see academic improvement rise, and somebody with a background in management."

Edwin Flores said that nobody can replace Mr. Brashear's knowledge on the board.

"He will be sorely, sorely missed," he said.

[TexasStooge]

Three convicted in deadly migrant smuggling

HOUSTON, Texas (WFAA ABC 8/DallasNews.com/AP) – Three members of a ring responsible for the nation's deadliest human smuggling attempt were convicted Wednesday for their roles in the deaths of 19 illegal immigrants who were transported in a stifling tractor-trailer.

The defendants, all U.S. citizens from South Texas, were convicted of conspiracy to harbor and transport illegal immigrants. All face up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is May 1.

The defendants hid the immigrants in their home and moved them to other stash houses, eventually helping them get to the site where they were loaded into the airtight tractor-trailer for transport to Houston.

In addition to conspiracy, jurors found Victor Sanchez Rodriguez, 58, guilty of eight counts of harboring and nine counts of transporting illegal immigrants; his wife, Emma Sapata Rodriguez, 59, guilty of eight counts of harboring and six counts of transporting; and her half sister, Rosa Sarrata Gonzalez, guilty of one count of harboring.

[TexasStooge]

Explosive device found in Watauga mailbox

By CYNTHIA VEGA / WFAA ABC 8

WATAUGA, Texas — Authorities have detonated an explosive device that was placed inside an elderly woman's mailbox in Tarrant County late Wednesday night.

Watauga police summoned the northeast Tarrant County bomb squad after a neighbor in the 6500 block of Avalon Drive reported suspicious activity.

"I witnessed the car pulled up over here; lights off, seemed like it was having trouble," said Dale Permenter. "All of a sudden, a kid jumps out of the passenger side and runs up to the mailbox and opens it; puts something in it; closes it."

Permenter said he was unable to see the vehicle's license plate, but said it was a gold Honda with two youths ages 12 to 14.

A robotic device removed the improvised explosive device and detonated it safely.

"Luckily it didn't go off," Permenter said. "She would have been in a world of hurt if it had done something severe."

Police said the suspects remained at large early Thursday, but could face felony charges and possible federal charges as well.

Investigators said it appears to have been a random act.

[TexasStooge]

BREAKING NEWS - Traffic

IRVING, Texas (WFAA ABC 8) - A tractor-trailer hauling ceramic tile has crashed into a bridge abutment on Loop 12 under Highway 183 near Texas Stadium. Northbound and southbound traffic on Loop 12 is closed; use alternate routes.

Live Dallas/Ft. Worth Traffic Reports from Traffic Pulse