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
-
-
Ramp relocation could open Willow Park development
-
Planning that special day
More than 15 countries around the world to celebrate the art of love via Valentine’s Day.
In Weatherford and Parker County, several businesses, restaurants and venues will open their doors beginning this weekend to commemorate the holiday.
“We’ve already started taking reservations and business has been pretty steady,” Fish Creek owner Joseph Lane said. “It’s always busy around this time of year.” - Man arrested for indecent exposure in Hudson Oaks
- School: parent OK with paddling
-
10 most romantic hotels in the U.S.
Valentine’s Day will be here soon, and a romantic getaway may be just what the heart needs. TripAdvisor has released its list of the 10 most romantic hotels in the country, based on travelers’ reviews about the beautiful scenery, friendly staffs and romantic amenities like hot tubs and fireplaces.
-
Flooding at issue in other subdivisions
While much attention has been given to the Briarwood subdivision, located off of Santa Fe Drive in Weatherford, during the last two months storm water drainage issues have occurred in additional subdivisions and concerned homeowners. This has been an ongoing issue for many areas throughout the city.
- Child paddled, abuse at school not substantiated
-
Wildlife volunteers needed
Like any other mother, Donna Robinson has pictures of her “babies” on her phone.
“Let me show you,” she said eagerly. “I’ve got lots of pictures of the kids.”
She scrolls through the photos — there’s one of a squirrel with milk on its mouth after a feeding. Oh, there’s a cute one of two tiny possums looking over her shoulder as she feeds another “baby.” Aww, there’s the group of four raccoons named after the Beatles: Ringo, Paul, George and John.
Ok. She’s not your “ordinary” mom. -
Water woes on floodplain in Weatherford
When Wendy Walling purchased her home in the Briarwood subdivision off of Sante Fe Drive in the mid-1990s, her son could easily jump from one side of the small creek behind the home to the other.
“My son was in fourth grade (when we moved in) and he could actually jump across the creek,” Walling said.
By 2007, however, Walling said the width of the creek had begun to expand.
“(The creek) can hold water now and before it never could,” Walling said. - DPS: Motorcyclists didn't see slowing truck
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
