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HUNTSVILLE (AP) – Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson will not petition for clemency ahead of his scheduled execution in three weeks and will instead focus on obtaining a new trial in his capital murder conviction, his lawyer said Wednesday.

Roberson was convicted in 2003 for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, who was diagnosed with shaken baby syndrome. Roberson has maintained his innocence over the two decades he has spent on death row, arguing that scientific evidence developed since his conviction invalidates Nikki’s diagnosis and shows that she died from chronic illness — not from being shaken so violently that she died, as prosecutors claimed at Roberson’s trial.

Roberson, 58, is scheduled to be executed on Oct. 16. His deadline to submit an application for clemency with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is Thursday, 21 days before his execution date. Continue reading Robert Roberson will not seek clemency ahead of October execution

SMITH COUNTY — A woman was arrested Wednesday on a charge of endangering a child after her daughter reportedly suffered an overdose. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a 911 call regarding a possible overdose at a home on Candleridge Drive. Officials say a female child,23-months-old, was in a lethargic state. EMS transported the girl to UT Health ER in Tyler.

Smith County Investigators found that at approximately 3:15 pm, the child had ingested a THC gummy belonging to her mother, Kendall Johnson, 27, of Tyler. The child and her older brother were left unattended in Johnson’s vehicle while at a residence near Dixie Elementary School. When she returned to the vehicle, she realized her son and daughter had gotten into her THC gummies which were left in the vehicle. By this time, the daughter had already ingested a portion of one gummy. Johnson then went to the residence on Candleridge Drive where she stayed until she called 911 at approximately 5:00 pm. Continue reading Child flown to Dallas hospital after ingesting THC gummy

LONGVIEW — A pedestrian sustained serious bodily injury on Friday after being involved in a suspected hit-and-run situation, the Longview Police Department said. According to our news partner KETK, on Sept. 19 at around 8:35 p.m., officers responded to the 400 block of Mobberly Avenue, where they found a pedestrian with a serious bodily injury. The black pickup suspected to be involved had left the scene. The department is asking anyone with information regarding this case to call 903-237-1188 or Gregg County Crime Stoppers at 903-236-7827.

HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas man faces execution Thursday for killing his girlfriend’s 13-month-old daughter during a torturous ordeal the couple said was part of an “exorcism” to expel a demon from the child’s body. Blaine Milam, 35, was condemned for the December 2008 murder of Amora Carson at his trailer in Rusk County in East Texas.

Milam was scheduled to receive a lethal injection Thursday evening at the state penitentiary in Huntsville. At around the same time Milam was to be put to death, authorities in Alabama were planning to execute Geoffrey West for fatally shooting a gas station employee during a 1997 robbery.

Milam has claimed he is innocent, blaming then-girlfriend Jesseca Carson for the killing and alleging she was the one who claimed the girl was possessed by a demon. Continue reading East Texan facing execution for fatally beating 13-month-old during ‘exorcism’

LINDALE – According to our news partner KETK, a woman who was caught on camera abusing toddlers at a daycare in Lindale in 2024 pleaded guilty on Tuesday to injury to a child.

Catherine Elizabeth Guziejka was arrested in October of 2023 while working at Punkin’ Doodles Day Care. While working for the day care, video footage reportedly showed about 100 incidents where Guziejka was seen assaulting six children under her care. Guziejka has since been booked into the Smith County Jail on Oct. 30 and on Tuesday she pleaded guilty to injury to a child. Her trial has been scheduled for Nov 12, 2025.

TYLER – According to our news partner KETK, Blaine Milam will be executed Thursday for beating his girlfriend’s daughter to death in an alleged exorcism.

Milam and his girlfriend, Jessica Carson, were convicted in 20210 for the brutal killing of Amora Carson with a hammer and 24 human bite marks. Milam’s good friend, Jennifer Martin, continues to visit him and will be by his side until the last moment. Martin .”He is innocent 100%,” Martin said.

Martin met Milam on death row through her brother-in-law, Robert Roberson, who is set to be executed next month. Martin visited him just 24 hours before he is set to die on Thursday and said he is in good spirits. Continue reading Blaine Milam’s execution scheduled Thursday amid plea effort

HENDERSON COUNTY – Our news partner KETK is reporting that the current Justice of the Peace for Precinct 4 (JP4) announced on Tuesday that he will be retiring as JP following the completion of his current term. Judge Milton K. Adams has served East Texas for the past three decades, and his retirement will conclude more than 47 years of involvement in the criminal justice system, including his time as a Justice of the Peace.

“It’s been an interesting ride to say the least,” Adams wrote in his announcement. “I’d like to take a moment to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you.”

Adams encourages residents to learn about the candidates who will seek the seat in the upcoming election, noting the lasting impact of the court.

“Most people don’t realize that a Justice of the Peace is a State Judge and noted in the Texas Constitution as a ‘Conservator of the Peace,’” Adams said. “It’s not always an easy task to take on.”

UPDATE: According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, Pruitt was found and taken into custody earlier this evening following an anonymous tip.

WOOD COUNTY — Our news partners at KETK report that a man with outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon escaped from Wood County deputies on Wednesday. The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said around 6 a.m., they had received an anonymous tip of a person who had outstanding felony warrants for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. They then went to Caden Eric Pruitt’s residence in Hawkins, where they took him into custody. While deputies finished their investigation, Priutt escaped and fled. Continue reading Aggravated assault suspect in custody

TYLER – A new AAA study reveals that 96% of drivers admit to aggressive driving behaviors when on the roads. According to our news partner KETK, actions like speeding, running red lights and honking out of anger, is prevalent among nearly all drivers. Some of the main factors were listed as stress, impatience and overall road congestion. Contrary to popular belief, aggressive driving is not limited to urban areas but is increasingly seen in smaller and rural areas as well. Since 2016, the act of cutting off another driver is up 67%, hitting the horn is up 47%, but the acts of tailgating and yelling at another driver are down 24% and 17% respectively.

LONGVIEW — The City of Longview invited community members to attend an open house meeting on Tuesday to address residents’ current and future housing challenges. According to our news partner KETK, several Longview residents attended an open house meeting at the Maud Cobb Convention Center to learn more about the city’s Housing Needs Assessment and Action Plan. The plan dives into an analysis of Longview’s housing situation, including affordability, market value, and demographic trends.

Housing Manager for the City of Longview Housing Agency, Shateva Marshall, spoke with many attendees to gather more information about potential adjustments that can be made for Longview residents. Continue reading City of Longview holds housing needs assessment meeting

TYLER — The Caldwell Zoo is mourning the loss of its popular Red Fox ‘Sox’, who recently died. According to our news partner KETK, Sox has been a member of the Caldwell Zoo family since he was rescued in 2013 after being hit by a car on the outskirts of Tyler. According to the Zoo, Sox’s health has declined over the past few years due to hearing loss and decreased vision.

“We are honored to have provided a safe and secure home for this sly, ole fox. His tenacity and strength will certainly be missed,” Caldwell Zoo said.

ATHENS – After being arrested for possession of meth at his apartment almost three weeks ago, Athens ISD Board of Trustees have accepted the resignation of now former band director Nicholas Bartlett Durham. According to our news partner KETK, the 45-year-old had his apartment searched by Henderson County deputies at the 200 block of Wood Street. Found in his possession was an undisclosed amount of suspected methamphetamine. Durham was later taken to the Henderson County Jail for possession of a controlled substance and released the following day. After Durham’s resignation was accepted, the board announced Cheyenne Hernandez as the district’s interim band director.

UPDATE: The Smith County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed on Tuesday that the woman who lived on the property where the dogs were discovered has died.

TROUP – Our news partner KETK is reporting that 44 dogs were seized from an East Texas property on Friday morning at what Smith County investigators believe is a puppy mill. According to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office, around 11:45 a.m., first responders were dispatched to a medical call in the 19200 block of FM 345 near Troup. Once on the scene, medical personnel smelled a strong odor of feces, with multiple kennelled and loose dogs.

When Smith County investigators arrived on scene, they found that none of the dogs had received care of any kind for at least twelve hours and that they were not receiving an adequate amount of care, food or water.

“Smith County Animal Control responded to the location, and upon arrival, 44 dogs were seized and transported to the Smith County Animal Control Shelter,” officials said. “Of the 44 dogs rescued, 41 appear to be pure-bred Whippets and 3 appear to be pure-bred Standard Poodles. Several of the dogs were malnourished with skin disorders, overgrown nails and possible gastrointestinal disorders.” Continue reading Woman living on property with 44 malnourished dogs confirmed dead