Central Texas Capital Murder Defendant Asks for New Judge
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Central Texas Capital Murder Defendant Asks for New Judge Save Email Print
Reporter: By Paul Gately
Email Address: paul.gately@kwtx.com
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(November 10, 3008) – A district court hearing is set in Gatesville Wednesday before a visiting judge who must decide if the sitting judge in that court should recuse himself from presiding over a capital murder case.

Megan Lewis-Grant is scheduled to go on trial on Dec.1 for her part in the murder of her former husband, 44-year-old James Michael Grant, on Sept. 15, 2007.

Lewis-Grant’s attorney, Russ Hunt, Sr., of Waco, will argue Wednesday that 52nd District Judge Philip Zeigler should not hear the case because he has a pre-conceived bias against the defendant.

Senior District Judge James Clawson, of Bell County, will sit on the 52nd District Court bench for the hearing.

Judge B.B. Schraub, of Seguin, who is the administrative judge for the region that includes Coryell County, appointed Clawson.

James Michael Grant’s body was found lying outside of his pickup truck alongside a Coryell County road after sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a suspicious vehicle call by a resident who lived nearby.

He had been stabbed to death.

James Michael Grant II, the 16-year-old son of the murdered man, already has pleaded guilty to helping in the murder.

He was sentenced to 45 years in prison.

Zeigler heard that case.

Megan Lewis-Grant and her boyfriend John Hopkins both are charged with capital murder in connection with the crime.

The case likely would be among the last criminal trials over which Zeigler would preside because he already has announced his retirement on Dec. 31
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Posted by: anonymous Location: TX on Nov 24, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Well I know them, and I am surprised that anyone would describe Megan as a good person if they actually met her.
Posted by: COCA Location: GATESVILLE on Nov 13, 2008 at 03:58 PM
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPEND BUT THE ONES THAT WERE THERE HOW CAN YOU SIT THERE AND SAY JAMIE WILL ROT IN PRISON,HE WILL NOT! YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPEND & YOU ONLY KNOW WHAT THE PAPERS TELL YOU MEGAN AND JAMIE BOTH ARE GOOD PEOPLE. DONT JUDGE SOMEONE WHEN YOU DONT KNOW THEM .
Posted by: Yep Location: Cove on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Anyone else think she looks like a blonde bitchy version of Rosie O'Donnell? Or is it just me? :)
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 12, 2008 at 12:16 AM
she is looking like she's been "taken" care of?? couple of jailers have been fired in coryell county jail recently , did they catch them ALL????
Posted by: noname Location: Gatesville on Nov 11, 2008 at 05:57 PM
If Ziegler were to step down from this case, this defendent would lose a reason atleast one appeal. She would nolonger be able to claim any bias on the part of the judge. This woman needs to spend the rest of her life behind bars. It will be interesting to see how she's welcomed by the inmates of TDCJ. Especially since she used to be a nurse on one of the local units and she wasn't known for being very nice or helpful.
Posted by: Rose Location: Belton on Nov 11, 2008 at 04:51 PM
I will say that if it is found that she was aware that her son would perpetuate such a crime against her ex husband that she should be tried for the inexplicable trauma her son will live with for the rest of his life. I don't necessarily believe that capital punishment is a deterrent and don't really see how it will help this family.
Posted by: Just my 2 Location: Gatesville on Nov 11, 2008 at 04:20 PM
I do not think it will matter what judge hears the case she will be guilty but I do think for the future od her staying in prison once she is sentenced maybe Judge Ziegler should step down. The only reason I say that is because everyone in this small town knew the Grants and especially the people who are higher up. What she did was wrong and she does not need any loop holes to get out of this case and conviction.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Temple on Nov 11, 2008 at 01:39 PM
Save us taxpayers some money Be a man like your son did. you can be sentenced to death faster that way.
Posted by: Susan Location: Gatesville on Nov 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
This needs to be over. It is taking too long. Her son will rot in jail and she needs the death penalty. The community needs to go on with life and move past this. And Ms. Grant needs to take her place at Mountain View for the next few years before she has needles placed in her arm! Eye for an eye. This is just a last ditch effort to keep her out of the death chamber in Huntsville. Change the judge, do whatever just get on with this!
Posted by: Heart-Of-Texas Location: Waco on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Just go ahead and Lethal-Inject, and get it over with!!! Already kept her alive too long!! Back-To-The-Future!!
Posted by: Lea Location: Copperas Cove on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:40 AM
It's unreal I have known now two people that have been in the news the last two weeks, one that died in a horrible motorcycle accident on ivy mountain road and someone people are trying to put to death. there is alot of details people do not know...death is not always the answer. megan was a very repectable woman..worked with her for years..and concidering where she worked..i know that is not where she wants to be...and even knowing the relationship with her ex-husband I know she never wished death upon him. I wont say she was not protecting her own which I think there is an instinct in all of us to protect our own..and sometimes it may not be the best choice but it is a choice.I do not think anyone has the right to judge anyone unless you are appointed to be on the jury,or the person you say your prayers to at night.
Posted by: Just sayin is all Location: Ft Hood on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:35 AM
George - Well spoken. Couldnt have said it better!
Posted by: Lauren Location: Gatesville on Nov 11, 2008 at 10:12 AM
This is a woman who was at one point in her life married to this man. Her boyfriend and her son (with whom she shared with the victim) killed this man while he was sleeping. She then burned their bloody clothes to try and help them cover this up. It really doesn't matter who hears the case, she's admitted to burning the clothes. She has done herself in!
Posted by: HELLO!!! Location: Gatesville on Nov 11, 2008 at 09:57 AM
If she didn't want to have that particular judge...then maybe she shouldn't have had her ex murdered. Did she ever think about that? There are plenty of ways to get away from him-how about move? She shouldn't have a say in who the judge will be.
Posted by: George Location: Temple on Nov 11, 2008 at 09:36 AM
Shouldnt matter who sends her to her death just as long as someone does.
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