East Texan Sentenced to Life for 2012 Coffee City Murder

ATHENS — An East Texas man was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for a 2012 murder. KETK reports Jackie Martez Guthrie, 23, of Frankston, drew the sentence after pleading guilty last month to the July 2012 death of Chantel Barrett. Barrett was found dead outside Coffee City by police last July 19 while they responded to a call about gunshots. Guthrie was identified as a suspect and a manhunt was initiated. Guthrie is believed to have also kidnapped Tiffany Hurd, 19, who was eight months pregnant at the time with Guthrie’s child. 24 hours later, Guthrie was found by a former classmate in Galveston and was taken into custody without incident. Guthrie had in his possession what is believed to be the weapon used to shoot Barrett.

Henderson County District Attorney’s investigators, along with investigators from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, traveled to Galveston to interview Hurd and take him back to Henderson County. Guthrie made his plea on the morning of June 17. Family members from both sides were in the courtroom during the proceedings. Prosecutors and investigators believe that Chantel was shot while trying to keep Guthrie from taking Hurd during a scuffle between Guthrie and Hurd.