Published: April 20, 2008 11:20 am         

Cattle theft nets guilty verdict

Garvin County authorities are hoping a conviction this week sends out a strong message to anyone thinking about some modern-day cattle rustling.

Nearly three hours of jury deliberation Wednesday ended a three-day trial in a Pauls Valley courtroom with a guilty verdict for Jimmy Monroe Jeter, 73, of Davis.

Jeter was facing a jury trial on the accusation he attempted to steal cattle early last year at a site in far southern Garvin County.

Those on the state’s side of the case claimed Jeter was caught in the act when the incident occurred on Jan. 3, 2007.

The jury agreed when they returned a guilty verdict Wednesday.

“I hope it sends a message to people who do this kind of thing,” Assistant District Attorney Kristin Jarman said, referring to the act of cattle theft.

“It wasn’t me sending the message but the people on the jury.”

Jurors recommended that Jeter serve a nine-year prison sentence as they also considered the defendant’s previous cattle theft related convictions in Garvin and Murray counties several years ago.

A pre-sentence investigation is up next in the case as Jeter’s formal sentencing is scheduled for June 27 in the same Garvin County district courtroom where he was convicted this week.

Even with Jeter’s conviction the case is not over as fellow Davis resident Terry Lanoy, 53, is still facing the same charge of attempting to steal livestock.

A trial for Lanoy is currently scheduled in August.

The case itself actually got its start back in December 2006 when a county resident reported the theft of eight head of cattle.

Nothing happened in the case until Jan. 3, 2007 when authorities were again contacted by the same herd’s owner because of yet another attempt to steal more cattle.

At that time Jeter and two other individuals were accused of driving to the site and attempting to steal five cows.

Lanoy is accused of being one of the other two individuals who ran from the scene when confronted by the owner as he and others staked out the area.

Testimony indicated Jeter did attempt to drive away but was stopped a short distance away and taken into custody by a Davis police officer.

Lanoy has denied any involvement in the theft as he claimed to be at his Davis home with his caretaker when the incident occurred.

     

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