Venue hearing set for Hurst's alleged killer
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

More than 20 state game wardens were on hand for the pre-trial hearing of a Lissie man charged with killing one of their own.

A standing room only crowd packed the 329th District Courtroom on Tuesday morning as James Garrett Freeman was ushered before new District Judge Randy Clapp. Clapp reset the case until November.

Outfitted in a white inmate's jumpsuit with his hands cuffed in front of him, the 26-year-old limped as he walked into the courtroom, escorted by deputies.

Freeman was shot in the left ankle during a gun battle with law enforcement officers March 17. The shots were reportedly fired by Game Warden Justin Hurst - just moments before the officer was killed.

Freeman allegedly fired those fatal shots. He reportedly discharged both an AK-47 assault rifle and a pistol. Dozens of shots were fired, with one Wharton County Sheriff's Department patrol car riddled with 11 bullet holes and a Department of Public Safety cruiser hit six times.

A Wharton County Grand Jury earlier this summer indicted Freeman on seven counts: capital murder, three counts of attempted capital murder and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He's remained in the Wharton County Jail ever since.

He's pled not guilty to the charges.

Prosecutors would like to go to trial by next Spring.

The defense, however, has expressed interest in waiting until the Fall or Winter.

Houston attorney Stanley Schneider is representing Freeman.

Tuesday District Judge Clapp reset the case to Nov. 29, when a venue hearing will be held. Clapp also agreed to allow the defense team to use the Wharton County Jail to review with their client the in-car police tapes that document the shooting.

Nearly two dozen game wardens were present. Texas Ranger David Maxwell, lead investigator, was also on hand, as well as Sheriff Jess Howell.

Hurst's widow, Amanda, was also present in the courtroom Tuesday morning. This was reportedly the first time she has seen her husband's alleged killer.

Many of the game wardens embraced her or shook her hand as they departed the courtroom.

Tuesday was her birthday.