Longview Homicide Numbers Hold in 2014, but Few Charges

LONGVIEW — The number of people killed in homicides in Longview held nearly steady in 2014, yet as a new year begins there are still no charges filed in the majority of those cases. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, last year saw five fatal shootings within the city limits, homicides that left a total of eight people dead. In one of those incidents — a double homicide on June 15 in which Chanda “Candy” Martin and Kimberly Rayson were killed — murder charges have been filed. Isaiah Roberts, 30, of Tyler, faces a capital murder charge in the double shooting that led to the death of his ex-wife, Martin, and her friend. But in four other cases, including an April shooting in which three people were killed, police have yet to bring murder charges.

Longview Police spokeswoman Kristie Brian said that in any given year, the number of charges brought in homicide cases depends upon individual circumstances. Sometimes police can have a very good idea of who’s involved in a crime, yet not have enough evidence for formal charges. And usually, she said, that means drugs. “Of the homicides we’ve seen, as a general rule they do have narcotics overtones,” she said. “That lifestyle makes (the investigation) a lot harder.”

Such crimes cross borders of wealth, age and race, Brian said. And they present a problem for police, who generally can’t bring charges unless at least one witness is willing to come forward. “Basically, a community has to step up and say ‘not in my neighborhood,’” she said. “They have to decide to take it back. And we’re willing to help them take it back.”