NEWS
Family pours their pain out in courtroom as guilty plea is made in murder
Scott Cambre
In an emotionally charged hearing Monday, Scott Cambre pled guilty to the Oct. 31, 2014 murder of Wesley Brooks and was sentenced to 45 years in state prison.
Dressed in jail black and white stripes, and shackled hand and foot, Cambre, 29, quietly entered the plea confessing he shot the 28-year-old Bowie man and then attempted to dispose of the body in a burn pit behind his house.
District Attorney Paige Williams said the sentence was suitable for the case considering all the factors adding, “it is my job to seek justice not just confinement.”
The DA said the defendant had no criminal history and was a veteran, which were other contributing factors. Williams said the late Lt. Rick Beckham of the Bowie Police Department built a strong case, but it also would have been difficult to move forward without the lead detective as the key witness.
“Taking it all into consideration, 45 years is appropriate. He will have to serve a minimum of half his time before he is considered for parole, which would be about 22 and a half years, including the time served credit,” said Williams.
Wesley Brooks
The reading of the victim impact statements was heart-wrenching as anger, pain and loss poured from Brooks’ sisters, wife and mother.
Angela Garcia, Brooks’ oldest sister and one of three siblings, broke down several times during her statement, “we were three and now we are two, thank you Scott,” said Garcia.
Paula Terry, mother of Wesley Brooks, walked to the witness stand carrying a framed photo of her son and glared out to Scott Cambre, exclaiming he had taken her only son.
“It is inconceivable what you did. You have no compassion. You knew what you were doing, it was a horrific and gruesome act.”
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
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