A Bowie County jury returned a verdict of guilty Friday morning in the murder trial of Toddrick Matthews.
Matthews is now convicted in the Sept. 8, 2013, death of Sonjha Banks. Banks, 37, died of blunt force trauma and strangulation in Matthews' mobile home in Hooks, Texas. After the murder, Matthews disposed of Banks' clothing and numerous other pieces of evidence, witnesses testified.
Matthews attempted to conceal the crime by starting a fire in the residence and placing Banks' lifeless body in a bathtub, adding cleaning products to the water. Fifth District Judge Bill Miller placed the court in a brief recess as the state and defense prepare to begin questioning witnesses in the trial's punishment phase.
Matthews is facing 15 to 99 years or life in prison.
Continue to check the Gazette's website and read Saturday's print edition for coverage of the punishment verdict.