Bubba-Joe
03-23-2007, 03:39 PM
Lamesa man faces murder trial
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
A Howard County grand jury has officially charged a Lamesa man with the murder of former Big Spring High School track star Tory Mitchell.
Michael Herbert, 23, of Lamesa, was among 15 people indicted during Thursday’s session of the grand jury.
Herbert was indicted for murder in the Dec. 23 shooting death of Mitchell during Thursday’s session of the grand jury, District Attorney Hardy L. Wilkerson said.
Herbert, who also goes by the name of Michael Gibson, allegedly had a series of altercations with Mitchell that led to the fatal shooting, Wilkerson said.
“It appears that the defendant and Mr. Mitchell had their differences, and those differences appeared to have escalated, ultimately culminating in the state’s allegation that Mr. Herbert shot Mr. Mitchell in the back three times with a .357 Magnum (pistol),” Wilkerson said.
Mitchell earned fame as a multiple gold medal winning track athlete at Big Spring High School in the 1990s. He won back-to-back double gold medals at the state track meet in the 100 meters and 200 meters during that time and eventually signed a football scholarship with the University of Miami in 1999.
Murder is a first degree felony that normally carries a possible punishment of between five and 99 years or life in prison. Because Herbert has previous felony convictions, however, his possible punishment has been enhanced to between 15 and 99 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.
By STEVE REAGAN Staff Writer
A Howard County grand jury has officially charged a Lamesa man with the murder of former Big Spring High School track star Tory Mitchell.
Michael Herbert, 23, of Lamesa, was among 15 people indicted during Thursday’s session of the grand jury.
Herbert was indicted for murder in the Dec. 23 shooting death of Mitchell during Thursday’s session of the grand jury, District Attorney Hardy L. Wilkerson said.
Herbert, who also goes by the name of Michael Gibson, allegedly had a series of altercations with Mitchell that led to the fatal shooting, Wilkerson said.
“It appears that the defendant and Mr. Mitchell had their differences, and those differences appeared to have escalated, ultimately culminating in the state’s allegation that Mr. Herbert shot Mr. Mitchell in the back three times with a .357 Magnum (pistol),” Wilkerson said.
Mitchell earned fame as a multiple gold medal winning track athlete at Big Spring High School in the 1990s. He won back-to-back double gold medals at the state track meet in the 100 meters and 200 meters during that time and eventually signed a football scholarship with the University of Miami in 1999.
Murder is a first degree felony that normally carries a possible punishment of between five and 99 years or life in prison. Because Herbert has previous felony convictions, however, his possible punishment has been enhanced to between 15 and 99 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000.