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News and Press Releases
: 2010 |
Previous Years:
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from The Paris News:
Press Releases:
- Arsonist pleads guilty, gets 25 years (1-8-10)
CAC of Texas lauds local
prosecutor
Staff Report
Published January 9, 2010
Most often, the people who help children of abuse are behind
the scenes as part of a team working toward the same goals. In
Paris, the Children’s Advocacy Center facilitates that team
for Lamar and Red River Counties.
One of those team members, Jill Drake, Lamar County assistant
county and district attorney, has been recognized at the state
level for her efforts.
The Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas Inc., recently
awarded Drake with a Professional Team Excellence Award.
“A cooperative working relationship is of utmost importance
when it comes to helping children of abuse and seeing justice
done to their perpetrators,” said Mitzi White, local CAC
executive director. “We are blessed to have an incredible
multidisciplinary team (MDT), and Jill Drake is crucial to that
working properly.”
With the help of CAC forensic interviewers, law enforcement,
Child Protective Services, sexual assault nurses, local counselors
and other advocates, Drake forges ahead with prosecuting child
abusers, White said.
White and local CAC staff members Rebecca Peevy, Rebecca Wells-Tyndell
and Angela Crawford nominated Drake for the award.
“Jill actively looks for methods to make each victim
feel comfortable in court preparation and testimony,” the
nomination read. “Jill meets with each victim multiple times
to establish rapport and ensure the process is as clear and familiar
as possible to reduce any further trauma or revictimization.”
White said Drake provides encouragement to local law enforcement
to conduct thorough investigations to create a solid foundation
for successful prosecution. She also researches to ensure the
MDT is kept abreast and prepared for changes as they occur in
criminal law.
“Twelve plea bargains and three convictions with only
one hung jury regarding sex offenders in Lamar County this past
year speaks for the results she is supporting us in achieving,”
White said.
“Jill keeps the group abreast of her office’s activity
regarding each case. In working with the children, she carefully
chooses her wording to assure the language is developmentally
appropriate for each child testifying,” White said. “She
utilizes our CAC and staff to aid her in establishing a child-friendly
environment for her to get to know the victims.”
Drake practiced family law in North Carolina in the 1980s.
She spent time as a public defender in south Florida through
the 1990s, served a stint as a family violence attorney and victim
advocate in Paris before leaving Texas, then returned in 2007
to join the local prosecutors’ office.
She developed a client services program for a district court’s
public defender’s office in South Florida, which provided
social services to clients to help break the cycle of crime.
Locally, she is active on the Trail de Paris board.
“Jill is an active MDT member who rarely ever misses
a meeting. She has proved to be a great asset in helping keep
the team’s morale high. Her upbeat, can-do attitude is infectious,”
White said.
Paris man gets 25 years
in prison for arson
Staff Report
Published January 9, 2010
A 23-year-old Paris man admitted Friday to burning several
structures and received 25 years in prison in a plea bargain
with prosecutors.
Roger Lee Robinson was accused of intentionally setting fire
to the abandoned Cherry Street Manor nursing home in October
2008, along with four houses in separate incidents. Two firemen
were injured fighting the Cherry Street blaze.
“Outstanding investigative work by Vance Woodard and
Fire Marshal Dale Maberry of Paris Fire Department resulted in
this arrest,” said Bill Harris, first assistant county and
district attorney. “Arson is one of the hardest crimes to
prove and they were persistent in getting their man.”
According to the report, Paris firefighter James Dority received
second degree burns to his ears, face and back as a result of
fighting that blaze. Fireman Drew Boren received minor burns
and a badly cut hand due to falling glass.
“The danger of setting fire to an empty building is not
just property, but also injury or death to firefighters. That’s
why he was charged with arson causing injury,” Harris said.
Robinson initially denied being involved with the fires or
even being present afterward. According to the report, however,
“a local photographer took pictures of the fire and Robinson
can be seen in the photos.”
Robinson pleaded guilty to setting fire to two adjacent houses
in the 800 block of East Washington Street on Oct. 30, 2008,
and another in the 400 block of the same street the next day.
In November 2008, firemen responded to a fire in a vacant
residence on 13th Street N.W. Witnesses reported seeing Robinson
running away from the area shortly before the fire was reported.
Robinson later confessed to setting all the fires.
“It’s unfortunate that he had such a disrespect
for not only property, but the safety of neighbors and firefighters,”
said county and district attorney Gary Young. “Thankfully,
solid investigating proved it and he had no choice but admit
his guilt.”
Robinson has been in the Lamar County Jail since May 2009.
He must now spend at least half of his sentence in prison before
he’s eligible for parole, Harris said.
Robinson was represented by Paris defense attorney Jeff Starnes.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | January 8, 2010
Arsonist pleads guilty, gets
25 years in prison
A 23-year-old Paris man admitted Friday to burning several
structures and received 25 years in prison in a plea bargain
with prosecutors.
Roger Lee Robinson was accused of intentionally setting fire
to the abandoned Cherry Street Manor nursing home in October
2008, along with four houses in separate incidents. Two firemen
were injured fighting the Cherry Street blaze.
Bill Harris, First Assistant County and District Attorney,
said, "Outstanding investigative work by Vance Woodard and
Fire Marshal Dale Maberry of Paris Fire Department resulted in
this arrest. Arson is one of the hardest crimes to prove and
they were persistent in getting their man."
According to the report, Paris firefighter James Dority received
second degree burns to his ears, face and back. Fireman Drew
Boren received minor burns and a badly cut hand due to falling
glass.
"The danger of setting fire to an empty building is not
just property, but also injury or death to firefighters. That's
why he was charged with arson causing injury," Harris said.
Robinson initially denied being involved with the fires or
even being present afterward. According to the report, however,
"a local photographer took pictures of the fire and Robinson
can be seen in the photos."
Robinson pleaded guilty to setting fire to two adjacent houses
in the 800 block of East Washington Street on October 30, 2008,
and another in the 400 block of the same street the next day.
In November 2008, firemen responded to a vacant residence
on Northwest 13th Street. Witnesses reported seeing Robinson
running away from the area shortly before the fire was reported.
Robinson later confessed to setting all the fires.
"It's unfortunate that he had such a disrespect for not
only property, but the safety of neighbors and firefighters,"
said County and District Attorney Gary Young. "Thankfully,
solid investigating proved it and he had no choice but admit
his guilt."
Robinson has been in the Lamar County Jail since May 2009.
He must now spend at least half of his sentence in prison before
he's eligible for parole, Harris said.
Robinson was represented by Paris defense attorney Jeff Starnes. |
