Woman faces two to 20 years in fatal crash; trial starts today

Callie Jones
Callie Jones

NEW BOSTON, Texas-Opening statements and witness testimony are scheduled to begin this morning at the Bowie County courthouse in the punishment-only trial of a Texarkana woman who was alcohol-impaired at the time of a fatal crash last year.

Callie Marie Jones, 59, is facing punishment ranging from two to 20 years in the Sept. 3, 2017, death of Skylar Crenshaw, 29, who was thrown from his motorcycle and into a utility pole guidewire as a result of the crash.

Jones pleaded guilty Monday to intoxication manslaughter but is asking a jury to decide her fate. Because Jones has no prior felony convictions, she could receive probation if sentenced to 10 or fewer years and if the jury recommends a suspended sentence. Jones will serve a minimum of 180 days in jail as Texas law mandates for a conviction of intoxication manslaughter.

A jury of eight men and four women was selected Tuesday to decide what consequences Jones will ultimately face.

At Jones' final pretrial hearing Monday, Defense lawyer Joe Tyler of Texarkana and Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp argued the admissibility of photos of Crenshaw's body, which were described by both sides as "gruesome."

Crenshaw's arm was severed from his body during the incident and was located some distance from his body. After reviewing the photos the state sought to introduce, 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart ruled that fewer than 10 of the photos of Crenshaw at the scene and at the medical examiner's office prior to autopsy will be shown to the jury.

Witnesses for the state will include members of law enforcement, a Dallas medical examiner and an analyst from the state crime lab who is expected to reveal the results of blood-alcohol testing performed on Jones' at a local hospital following the deadly wreck.

A verdict in the case is expected Wednesday or Thursday.

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