CAPITAL MURDERER GETS LIFE
		San Saba, Texas—Leslie Ray Turner was convicted October 20th on a charge of Capital Murder.  The State elected to pursue life in prison under the Capital Murder laws of Texas.   The crime involved both a Burglary as well as an Aggravated Sexual Assault charge, in addition to the murder.  Texas law defines Capital Murder as an offense occurring when a person commits murder AND the murder is committed in the course of committing another felony outlined within the statute (including burglary and aggravated sexual assault).  A San Saba jury deliberated for just one hour before finding Turner guilty on the Capital Murder charge. Evidence before the jury showed that local law enforcement were alerted to a fire at the residence of the victim, Rhonda Jo Ward on the morning of June 17, 2002.  The burned body of Ms. Ward was recovered and an autopsy revealed trauma proving she had been strangled and sexually assaulted prior to the fire.  San Saba Chief of Police Ray Riggs and Ranger Joey Gordon conducted an intensive investigation of Ms. Ward’s death which included collaborating with the State’s Fire Marshall’s office and its investigators as well as utilization of the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Scene Investigation team from Austin.               During the trial the Jury heard testimony including DNA evidence which linked Turner to the crime.  The investigation also revealed that Ms. Ward’s front door had suffered damage as a result of a break in which occurred prior to the residence being burned.  Ranger Gordon testified that Turner’s DNA provided the only match from all the possible suspects’ DNA which was tested.  Local townspeople also testified linking Turner to the crime in addition to the scientific testimony showing his guilt.  Upon the return of the Guilty verdict, Turner was sentenced to life in prison under the Capital Murder law which means he will not be eligible for parole for 40 years at which time he will be 73 years old.  Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Nelson stated,  “This was a truly collaborative effort on the part of law enforcement, people within the community, as well as Ms. Ward’s family to see that justice was done.  I am proud to say this goal was reached and the system worked just as it was intended to do.”                 “I am very proud of the efforts Cheryl demonstrated in trying this case.  It was a difficult and serious case to try, and one of the first Capital Murder offenses in the 33rd Judicial District,” said Oatman.