Скачать или смотреть Judge West Handles Two Shocking Cases — Ends With 50-Year Sentence

#courthearings #murdercharges #FentanylCase #bondhearing #texascourt

In this courtroom proceeding, Michelle Lee Cormier faced charges for a first-degree felony offense of murder related to allegations involving the delivery of fentanyl that resulted in the death of another individual. Defense counsel filed a motion to quash the indictment, arguing that it failed to properly allege the required mental state (mens rea) for murder. The defense contended that under common law, murder requires intentional and knowing conduct, and questioned whether the statute improperly reduced that requirement.

The court, however, ruled that the indictment followed the statutory language, which requires knowingly delivering a controlled substance—specifically fentanyl—that results in death. The judge denied the motion to quash and declined to find the statute unconstitutional, stating the court would apply the law as written. The issue of whether the defendant knowingly delivered fentanyl, rather than another substance containing fentanyl, was noted as potentially a jury question.

The court then addressed a motion to reduce Cormier’s $500,000 bond. Cormier testified that her family could potentially post a $100,000 bond and that she would comply with conditions such as GPS monitoring and drug testing. However, the prosecution raised concerns about the seriousness of the allegations, including claims that drugs were smuggled into jail and that the defendant had prior felony history. After considering statutory bond factors and the nature of the offense, the judge denied the bond reduction request.

In separate proceedings, Howard Celestine entered guilty pleas in multiple felony cases, including manufacturing or delivering a controlled substance, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, murder, and child endangerment. The court accepted the pleas as voluntary and sentenced him in accordance with plea agreements, including 20-year and 50-year prison terms in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Disclaimer:

This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or an official transcript of court proceedings.