NEWS
Hutson murder trial enters second week
Emotional testimony from the children of Tia Hutson opened the second week of the murder trial of Gregory Bell being tried for her beating death in August, 2022.
The murder trial of Gregory Bell for the death of Tia Hutson entered its second week Monday after an opening week that saw witnesses from law enforcement and forensics appear, plus the medical field.
Bell, 58, Saint Jo, was jailed in November 2023 accused in the beating death of a former girlfriend Tia Hutson, 50, also of Saint Jo. The suspect was arrested on Nov. 14, 2023 by Texas Rangers and charged with first-degree murder.
The grand jury indictment that led to arrest stated Hutson’s death was caused by “striking on her head with a hard object.” It was the first murder in Saint Jo since 1986.
She was found severely beaten and raped in her home on Aug. 5, 2022. Six days later she died from her injuries.
Jury selection began the morning of April 22 and where an eight-man four-woman jury was seated with testimony set to begin the next day. Judge Trish Byars is presiding with Paige McCormick, first assistant district attorney, and DA Katie Boggeman, prosecuting the case. Bob Estrada is representing Bell in his trial.
Read more on this story in the May 1 Bowie News.
Top photo – Gregory Bell leaves the courtroom last week during this murder trial. (Photo by Josh Hoggard KFDX/KJTL TV)
The jury was seated on Monday and the opening day of testimony Tuesday only lasted four hours, before the panel went into deliberations about 2 p.m.
Two hours later the jury returned a guilty verdict on both charges. Wednesday morning the jury was set to begin discussion on Hall’s punishment at 8:30 a.m. with both sides offering evidence and testimony. Hall faces up to 10 years in prison.
The trial was moved to Denton County on a change of venue requested by Hall in March. After 16th District Judge Sherry Shipman read the verdict, it was reported Hall hung her head in disappointment and was later seen crying and emotional as she left the courtroom.
Members of the Bowie City Council will meet in regular session at 6 p.m. on May 13 in council chambers.
The meeting opens with a proclamation for Emergency Medical Services Week.
City Manager Bert Cunningham will report on recent rainfall problems, Smythe Street sidewalk project and the substation work.
There is only one item of new business an ordinance related to speed limits on specific streets. Public comments and approval of minutes wrap up the agenda.
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