Mays trial underway
By Chad Wilson Editor

The capital murder trial for Randall Wayne Mays began Monday at the Henderson County Judicial Complex in Athens with Judge Carter Tarrance of the 392nd District court presiding.

Mays is accused of the May 2007 shooting deaths of two Henderson County Sheriffs department officers, Paul Halbelt and Tony Ogburn. A third officer, Kevin Harris, was shot and wounded in the incident.

Ogburn, 61, was a five-year veterans of the Henderson County Sheriff's department. Halbelt, 63, was a 13 veteran of the department.

Donna Bennett, Henderson County District Attorney, and Texas Attorney General Prosecutor Wesley Maul are prosecuting the case for the State of Texas. Bobby Mims, a Tyler attorney, and Steve Green of Athens are representing Mays.

Several witnesses took the stand on Monday including Fran Nicholson, Kelly Nicholson, Texas Ranger Sgt. Trace McDonald and Deputy Dewayne Sanders.

If convicted, Mays faces life in prison or the death penalty. Capital Murder is being applied because a peace officer was killed in the line of duty.

The trial resumed at 9am Tuesday. Shortly after the trial began there was a recess until 1pm.

The incident occurred May 17, 2007 when officers responded to a 911 domestic disturbance call at the Mays residence near Payne Springs.

A shoot-out erupted before Mays struck the three officers before being subdued. He was indicted on June 20, 2007.