Jury Selection Set To Begin On Murder Retrial

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(August 1, 2008)—Jury selection is expected to start Friday in McLennan County for the retrial of a man already convicted for killing three people nearly 20 years ago.

In 1990, Billy Wayne Coble was convicted of killing his estranged wife’s parents and her brother who was a Waco Police Officer.

Coble was given the death sentence, however one year ago an appeals court ruled the punishment phase in his original trial was unconstitutional.

In September 2007, the 5th Circuit Court out of New Orleans overturned that sentence because the jury was not allowed to hear evidence that would have explained his mental condition at the time of the murder.

While prosecutors are still seeking the death penalty, Billy Wayne Coble could receive a life sentence and thus be eligible for parole based on the laws that were in place at the time of his original conviction.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Nicole Neil on Mar 24, 2009 at 03:55 PM
A person is not as bad as their worst deed.

Posted by: me Location: Texas on Aug 8, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Why do we have to suffer again when he was already found guilty once by a very capable jury? This is where the judicial system fails the victim. We have tried to put this all behind us for the past 19 years now we have to relive it again. We miss our family and they will always be in our hearts. Zelda, Robert and Bobby you will always be remembered. We love you!!

Posted by: family Location: Texas on Aug 5, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Trust me, I totally agree with everything you all are saying. I was a part of that horrible day and now to have to re-live it again is a nightmare. My family misses Zelda, Robert and Bobby everyday! Such a horrible, horrible tragedy. Thank you for the thoughts and pray for the outcome we all want!

Posted by: Concerned Location: Axtell, TX on Aug 5, 2008 at 01:07 PM
This case is a joke!! This man should of been excuted years ago! I know him personally and the familys he destroyed. If he gets off and is eligable for parole he will do it again. Let these familys get a piece of mind. Give Coble what he deserves!!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Houston on Aug 5, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Reality Check, I am fairly comfortable with the fact that Bill Coble won't ever be a free man. I just don't believe the parole board will allow it to happen (of course, the implicit assumption here is that the death penalty is not imposed again - an assumption that I hope is completely off base). The "problem," so to say, with how long it takes death penalty sentences to be carried out lies in the Constitution, which guarantees everyone (not just the *good* people in this world) the right to due process of law. As the death penalty is the most severe of punishments, it is entitled to special consideration, and "due process" becomes much more important for the triple murderers of the world than others. Whether I agree with it or whether you agree with it, that's the way it is. So long as Bill Coble dies in jail (sooner or later, take your pick), I'll be satisfied.

Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Aug 3, 2008 at 07:15 PM
Anonymous.... I don't agree with what will be the outcome, I was just relating information that I had already heard. I just wonder why it takes so long for death penalty sentences to be carried out when drug dealers and rapists get early release.

Posted by: Marie Location: CenTex on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I agree, wasted tax money & he should have already dangled! I hope he doesn't get out.

Posted by: Fay Location: Waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:23 PM
This cold blooded murderer was given the death penalty because he killed 3 people (an elderly woman and her husband and their son, a police officer), so what is he still doing alive after 15 years. The justice system has failed miserably on this one. I feel for the family of these victims whose lives were taken so abruptly. They were not given a second chance so why is this monster given so many opportunities to remain in society. Very disgusting to say the least.

Posted by: dmg Location: waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 04:08 PM
What a ridiculous waste of taxpayers money!! He's been on death row for 18 years--this is a disgrace!!! There so be no such thing as death row--he should be already dead. Execute these losers immediately after conviction. Jail overcrowding would be less of a problem. The justice system is a joke. It caters to the criminals and has no compassion for the victims. This just makes my blood boil!!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Houston on Aug 1, 2008 at 03:56 PM
Dear Reality Check, Even if the death penalty is not imposed again, a man convicted of murdering a Waco police officer in the line of duty will not get parole the first time up, or the second, or the third...

Posted by: b Location: waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I remember when this happened. This was the day my son was born. I honestly think this man has lived long enough for what he did not only to the victims that died, but to his victims that survived.

Posted by: Reality Check Location: Whack em Waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 12:31 PM
The reality is that he will probably be released after being convicted a second time. He probably has enough time served to make parole, especially if he doesn't get the death penalty again.

Posted by: GLC Location: Waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Did he give the family he killed a second change, I think Not. So why are the tax payers now required to pay the expenses of another trial. The man was tried, found guilty and sentenced to death. Enough said.

Posted by: citizen Location: Waco on Aug 1, 2008 at 12:13 PM
What a waste of our tax money!

Posted by: L Location: Lorena on Aug 1, 2008 at 11:07 AM
Sure can't understand why any of this had to be. He's guilty - he was given a sentence ... let that be.

Posted by: El Diablo Location: Hell on Aug 1, 2008 at 09:35 AM
What mental condition? "Murderous rampage"? "Drunk outta his mind"? I don't think it matters too much how he was feeling at the time. Let him dangle!

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