Killeen Has a Reputation for Being a Murderous City

Home to Fort Cavazos (Fort Hood), an Army base with its own notorious reputation (especially since the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Spc. Vanessa Guillen), Killeen has an unfortunate relationship with serious criminal offenses. Annually, more than 500 violent crimes occur in this city alone, with a rating of 19 on a crime index of 100. That means Killeen is only safer than 19 percent of cities in the entirety of the United States. In fact, there is an entire website dedicated to the unsolved murders of Killeen.

The four types of homicide charges

In a state like Texas where capital offenses like murder can lead to execution, being faced with an allegation this serious is not something to take lightly. Choosing the right representation can, quite literally, mean the difference between life and death.

In Texas, there are four different types of homicide charges with different levels of severity and consequences:

• Criminally negligent homicide. This is the least severe homicide charge because, in layperson’s terms, it means the victim’s death was purely accidental. This charge is designed to focus on what risk was taken that led to the death, and how strong the connection is between the two events. For example, if you are speeding and accidentally hit a pedestrian, this is the charge most likely to apply.
• Manslaughter. This means the death of a person was caused by the reckless act of another.
• Murder. Simply put, premeditation and intent are what changes manslaughter to murder, making those two points the most essential elements of your defense. This is when the consequences move from a few years in prison and hefty fines to a life sentence — or worse. Depending on the circumstances of the case, a standard murder charge may be elevated to capital murder, which is the fourth (and most severe) of the homicide charges.
• Capital murder. This is the highest level of crime with which you might possibly be charged, and you could face execution if convicted. There are several factors that could make a murder a capital offense, including the hiring of a hitman, the murder of a child under 10 years of age, serial killing, and killing while attempting to escape a penal institution. A murder charge could also be raised to capital if the crime was committed in conjunction with another, such as killing a hostage during a burglary or kidnapping.

What to do if you are facing homicide charges in Killeen

If you find yourself  accused of any level of homicide allegation, you’ll want to act fast to ensure your rights and your life are protected. Something of this caliber calls for a level of representation to match, which is why choosing the right criminal defense attorney is so important. They can review your case before it even gets to court and come up with a plan of action to cast doubt on the prosecution’s arguments, and this can be all that’s needed to reduce — or even dismiss — the charges brought against you.

If you have an alibi, your defense attorney will use that to challenge the validity of witness testimony and any forensic evidence that’s found. Proving they simply arrested and charged the wrong person is the best-case scenario. Arguing for self-defense is another tactic we employ, as killing someone when you truly believed they would kill you is not a crime, if reasonable force was used.

Depending on the circumstances we may also be able to prove the death of the victim was accidental, which might convince the court to lower a capital murder charge down to manslaughter and greatly reduce any sentences.

At Mary Beth Harrell Criminal Defense and DWI Lawyers, these are only a few of the strategies our experienced Killeen criminal defense attorneys employ to help our clients. We know you are innocent until proven guilty just like we know no case is hopeless, and neither are you. Not only do we have an office in Killeen, but we also have another office in Copperas Cove to assist you. Do not take a chance you don’t need to take. Call us today at 254-680-4655 or contact us for more information.