Beaumont Courthouse Shooters Faces Death Penalty

BEAUMONT, Texas (AP) _ A grand jury has amended the charges against the suspect in a fatal shooting outside a Texas courthouse to make him eligible for the death penalty.

Bartholomew Granger, of Jefferson County, is accused of the March 14 death of 79-year-old Minnie Sebolt. He was set for trial later this month on nine felony charges.  A grand jury Thursday elevated the charges to include capital murder.

Prosecutors say the 41-year-old Granger was trying to kill relatives in retaliation for testimony against him at his sexual assault trial. Sebolt was
caught in the gunfire.

Assistant District Attorney Ed Shettle says the trial — moved to Galveston — now won’t start until next year.  He says the death penalty isn’t likely to be waived and prosecutors probably will let a jury decide punishment.

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