Gov. Perry awards $227,500 grant to Henderson Co. for murder trial

Gov. Rick Perry awarded $227,500 to Henderson County as financial assistance for the capital murder trial of Randall Mays, who is accused of fatally shooting investigator Paul Habelt and deputy sheriff Tony Ogburn in May 2007. This grant is awarded through the County Essential Services Pro- gram and is administered by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD).

"This grant program is an important part of our state's criminal justice system because it helps counties pursue costly and time-consuming prosecution of capital crimes," Perry said. "Without such assistance, victims of these crimes would be denied justice."

The County Essential Services Program provides financial assistance to counties for important public services including law enforcement, jail and court services, and reimbursement of extraordinary costs incurred for the investigation or prosecution of capital murder or crimes committed because of bias or prejudice.

Each year, CJD awards more than $113 million in grants for a variety of juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.