Three plead guilty to murder

Amurder case with three defendants that was scheduled for July 10 was resolved instead with a plea bargain, according to Jasper County Criminal District Attorney Steven Hollis.

"All three defendants were originally indicted for capital murder, which carries a sentence of either death or life in prison without parole, " Hollis said.

Judge Joe Bob Golden presided in the court and handed down the following sentences:

Keith E. Wagner, 38, charged with first degree murder, agreed to 30 years Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division (TDCJID), credit from Nov. 4, 2005 - present.

Amee Williamson, 38, charged with first degree murder, agreed to 20 years TDCJID, credit from Nov. 10, 2005 - present.

Jason Ardis, 30, charged with first degree murder, agreed to 20 years TDCJID, credit from Nov. 10, 2005 - present.

Hollis said that Wagner, Williamson and Ardis will serve a minimum of one half of their sentenced time before becoming eligible for parole. Wagner received the most years because he was believed to be the one who actually fired the shot that killed David Earl Moore in what is believed to be a dispute over drugs and money.

Hollis explained that a defendant convicted of a "3g offense" (such as murder, sexual assault or other violence with a deadly weapon while committing a felony offense) is not eligible for parole until actual calendar time served, without consideration of good conduct, equals half the sentence or 30 years, whichever is less.

The other case resolved with a plea bargain in Golden's court July 10 was that of Brett Collier, 21, charged with possession of a controlled substance. It was decided with a waiver of indictment; Collier agreed to two years deferred probation, $500 fine, $140 restitution to Department of Public Safety (DPS) lab, 120 hours community service and attorney fee.