Trial in Recess after Neal Found Guilty of Murder

TYLER – The punishment phase of the Ricky Neal Jr. murder trial is in recess until Tuesday morning. Shortly before 11:00 Wednesday morning, the jury found Neal guilty of murder in last year’s slaying of a former area football and basketball star. Neal was accused of murdering Chris Mass, 23, and shooting at Jonathan Lamone Dews, 29, in February 2013 in the Broadway Square Mall parking lot. Shortly after the verdict was returned, the punishment phase of the trial started with both sides making opening statements. The prosecution said it was seeking a life prison sentence, with the defense suggesting 20 years or less. Later in the day the trial was adjourned until next week. Neal faces an additional charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after police determined he shot at Dews. That case will be tried separately.