Jake Evans, who is being held at the Parker County Jail in the deaths of his mother and 15-year-old sister, was denied bail during his first court appearance.
As a 17 year old, Evans will be tried as an adult and because more than one person was killed, he has been charged with capital murder.
A change in legislation in 2005 made life without parole an alternative to the death penalty in Texas for persons convicted of capital murder.
Since the inception of the law, across Texas, inmates convicted of capital murder are around six times more likely to be given life in prison over the death penalty.
From the Parker County Sheriff's Dept
A 17-year-old man, identified as Jake Evans, is in custody after a double murder. Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler said a 9-1-1 call came into dispatch at 12:34 a.m.
The caller stated he had just shot and killed his mother, Jamie Evans, 48, and his 15-year-old sister.
The homicide scene took place in the family residence located in the 100 block of River Creek Lane, in Annetta South, in Parker County.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and took Jake Evans into custody without further incident.
Evans stated he used a .22 revolver in the shootings. The exact cause and manners of death is pending autopsies from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Parker County Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Rangers are investigating the case.
Sheriff Fowler stated investigators believe Evans acted alone in the murders. At this time, there is no evidence implicating additional suspects.
Investigators also believe the father and husband of the deceased was out-of-town on business when the murders took place.
Jake Evans is being interviewed by investigators today. Sheriff’s CID Investigators anticipate booking Evans in jail and charging him with capital murder.
Randy Keck/The Community News: Residents from the area visited the cafeteria at McCall Elementary School on Tuesday night, Jan. 24 to see the locations of the proposed ramp changes for Interstate 20. The west-bound exits for Ranch House Road and FM 5 are planned to be moved significantly westward.
More on the story can be found in the Jan. 27 issue of The Community News.
Bill YoungWeeks after Willow Park Mayor Ken Hawkins proposed that the six cities of East Parker County unite under one municipality with the Aledo name, another proposal has come forward.
Hudson Oaks City Councilman Bill Young, who Hawkins mentioned as a supporter at the town hall meeting last week, has written a full response to Hawkins' united cities proposal and is proposing a separate plan for the assumed growth coming to Aledo, Hudson Oaks, the Annettas and Willow Park.
Dominic Genetti/The Community News: Hudson Oaks Mayor Pat Deen was the first mayor to back out of the united cities proposal made by Mayor Ken Hawkins of Willow Park. The plan calls for the uniting of the six cities of East Parker County; Aledo, Hudson Oaks, the Annettas and Willow Park.
Six days after Willow Park Mayor Ken Hawkins officially proposed to the public that the six cities of East Parker County merge and become one, three area mayors have confirmed that they want their cities removed from discussions.
Willow Park Mayor Ken Hawkins says the region would benefit if the six cities of East Parker County join and become one. The idea is causing mixed reviews and raising a lot of questions. Watch the video below and get the full story.
ATTENTION ALL RESIDENTS OF ANNETTA SOUTH:
An election is hereby called to elect a Mayor and Councilmen Places 3 and 5 to serve until may of 2012 or until their successors are duly elected and qualified, including an issue on the ballot that shall provide for a yes or no vote to be cast on the following: “Shall the Towns of Annetta and Annetta South be consolidated?”. Such election shall be held at 1200 Old Annetta Road, Annetta Tx on the 8th day of May 2010, from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm.
