Judge revokes bond after suspect creates scene at courthouse

Woman, 53, accused of stealing 120 cans of beer from Albertson's

NEW BOSTON, Texas-A woman accused of stealing four 30-packs of beer from a Texarkana grocery store last year created a disturbance Monday at the Bowie County courthouse.
As 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart conducted a plea hearing in a different criminal case, Annette Laverne Harris, 53, could be easily heard in the courtroom as she expressed her displeasure with the criminal justice system in the courthouse's second-floor public hallway. When Harris' turn before the judge came, Lockhart ordered a drug test.
"I noticed you were creating a disturbance out in the hallway. As a condition of your PR (personal recognizance) bond, I can ask you to submit to a drug test, which I want before I go any further with this case."
Harris told Lockhart the testing was unnecessary.
"You don't need to do the test. I did some drugs yesterday morning. I was stressed out thinking because of this," Harris said, adding that the drug she claimed to use Sunday was marijuana.
Lockhart told Harris he intended to have her tested despite her admission. When Lockhart told Harris he was revoking her bond and placing her in custody, Harris began to wail.
"Judge, please give me a chance. Please give me a chance," Harris begged as deputies and court bailiffs escorted her from the 102nd courtroom to a secure hallway behind the four courtrooms on the second floor.
Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp warned the officers that Harris has a history of resisting arrest and behaving unpredictably when confronted with the prospect of a jail cell. As Lockhart called the next case, Harris' voice could be heard in the courtroom as she complained in the secure area behind it. Witnesses testifying in a pretrial hearing for a different defendant whose case was called after Harris' repeatedly paused as Harris' voice rose to a pitch that couldn't be ignored.
"You ain't nothing but a bunch of redneck (expletives) in New Boston. You're gonna take me and hang me from a tree," Harris could be heard exclaiming.
A court official said Harris removed her shirt and bra while waiting for transport to the Bi-State Justice Building in Texarkana.
"Put me down. Put me down," were the last words those in the courtroom heard her shout.
Lockhart scheduled Harris' theft case for jury selection this morning. Harris allegedly tried to pay for $87.88 worth of Budweiser and generic beer with a gift card Jan. 27, 2015, at Albertson's on West Seventh Street in Texarkana, Texas, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. When told the Albertson's gift card only had a balance of $1.11, Harris allegedly drove a motorized scooter out the front door without paying for the alcohol. A video of the alleged theft was provided to investigators on a flash drive.
Ordinarily a person accused of theft under $500 would be charged with a misdemeanor, but Harris faces punishment of six months to two years because she has prior convictions for similar offenses. Jury selection is scheduled to begin this morning. Opening arguments and testimony are expected to begin Wednesday.
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