WEATHERFORD - A Parker County jury found a Fort Worth man guilty of a third degree felony methamphetamine possession charge Wednesday morning in a case that resulted from an October, 2007 search warrant executed in the Springtown area by Parker County Special Crimes Unit officers.
After a brief punishment hearing, 43rd District Court Judge Don Chrestman set the sentence for 45-year-old Bryan Keith Shuler at five years in prison.
Evidence presented by Assistant District Attorneys Jeff Swain and Abigail Placke Tuesday showed that officers located a laptop computer bag within a few feet of where Shuler was standing within a detached garage. Inside the computer bag was a baggie containing 1.5 grams of methamphetamine, a stolen .357 caliber pistol, Shuler’s expired driver’s license, a cell phone, a fictitious driver’s license, a bail bondsman’s business card, and $1,400 in cash. Testimony from the officers showed that the phone listed “Dad” with the same number that Shuler used for his father when he was booked into the Parker County Jail. The bail bondsman whose card was in the bag testified that he bonded Shuler out of the Tarrant County Jail in April, 2007.
In Shuler’s pickup, officers said that they located additional baggies which they said are commonly used to hold illegal drugs, a rifle, a pair of handcuffs, a pair of leg irons, zip ties, a knife, and a gas mask.
In an interview played for the jury, Shuler said that he was at the home “to collect on a debt”, that he had been at the property for two days, and that there were some people whose names he did not know who were there using methamphetamine the night before. A woman who resided at the residence testified that she and her husband had hired Shuler to complete some remodeling work on their property.
During closing argument, Fort Worth attorney Danny Burns, who represented Shuler, argued that his client’s identity and license could have been stolen.
In their closing arguments, Swain asked jurors to use their common sense and consider the unlikely series of events that would have had to have taken place to have all of the items related to Shuler in the bag with the drugs located within a matter of feet from where officers found him and have it not be his. Placke said that Shuler would have to have been “the unluckiest man alive” for that to have occurred.
After deliberating for about an hour, jurors returned with a guilty verdict.
During the punishment phase of trial, the prosecution introduced judgments showing that Shuler had previously been convicted of theft and possession of a prohibited weapon.
“We felt that this was a straightforward possession case,” Placke said. “We appreciate the jury’s work and agree with the sentence imposed by the judge.”
Shuler will be eligible for parole when he has served a quarter of his sentence, Swain said.
Local News
Jury: FW man guilty of felony drug charges
- Local News
-
-
Photos tell history of Weatherford
Weatherford is a town rich in tradition and history, and it was that history that motivated local researchers Jonelle Bartoli and Brenda McClurkin to document it through their new book, "Images of America: Weatherford, The Early Years."
The more than 100-page book details the lifestyles and changes for Weatherford through photographs and tidbits of information, dating back to the mid-1880s. - Court reviews departments' capital needs
- Controversy caused by judge's campaign material
- Former Willow Park employee claims firing unfair
-
Sheriff, judge at odds over mailer
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler sent out a statement and automatic phone calls across the county Wednesday saying he did not endorse incumbent 43rd District Judge candidate Trey Loftin, following a mailer sent by the judge’s campaign that included a quote from Fowler.
However, Loftin said Thursday Fowler made the referenced statement to a room full of people at a fundraiser for Loftin and agreed to let Loftin’s campaign quote the sheriff. - Film director looking for local actors
-
Book Smart
- Pastors: bring prayer back
- Weatherford council approves rezoning requests
- City won’t accept recall petitions
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
