The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 115, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 2019 Page: 3 of 8
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Uhe Waptown Sun 3
Thursday, June 13, 2019
working to produce tens of
were
Meria Lew Kramer
Cathy Dianne Coleman
BOLINGER
MALL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
■
■
■_____
House panel votes to hold
attorney general in contempt
vendors, music, a display of military
vehicles provided by the Military
Museum of Texas and a World War II
military collection, provided by the
Bay Area Military Museum.
A hand full of essays submitted for
Archie Lee
Banks
BY MATTHEW DALY AND
MICHAEL BALSAMD
The Associated Press
three years to finish all
phases.
When the mall is com-
pleted, it’s expected to
IMAGE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
the Patriot’s Pen, a VFW-sponsored
youth essay competition that allows
students to write essays expressing
their views on an annual patriotic
theme, will be on display for guests
to read.
A swearing-in ceremony for Navy
and Anny will also take place during
the event.
Members of the VFW Post 912
also hope to have a Vietnam-era
MURDER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
“Huey” helicopter at the event for
display and rides, but arrangements
are pending.
Besides VFW Post 912, the Amer-
ican Legion Post 323, Vietnam Vet-
erans of America Chapter 922 and
Disabled American Veterans Chapter
126 are sponsoring the event.
For more information, contact Jer-
ry Johnson at 832-984-5852 or VFW
Post 912 at 281-421-1257.
OBITUARIES
Forinformation, call 281-422-8302
district into an understanding that
strong schools build strong commu-
nities.
As that advertising seeks to im-
prove perception of the district,
Bolinger also works to advance the
district’s strategic plan.
Bolinger said the strategic plan has
five elements.
The first, he said, is to increase ac-
ademic achievements. That includes
improving college, career and mili-
tary readiness, closing achievement
gaps, improving attendance and get-
ting more accomplished or distin-
guished ratings for campuses.
The second, Bolinger said, is to
strengthen community partnerships.
That includes programs such as Part-
ners in Education and relationships
with community organizations.
5-7 p.m., on Friday, June
14, 2019 at Navarre Fu-
neral Home, 2444 Roll-
ingbrook Dr., Baytown,
TX 77521.
>
Cathy Dianne Cole-
man, 60, passed away
June 11, 2019.
The family will receive
friends for visitation from
VETERANS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
1
thousands of additional pages of rel-
evant documents.
Cummings disputed that account.
“We must protect the integrity of
the census and we must stand up for
Congress’ authority under the Con-
stitution to conduct meaningful over-
sight,” Cummings said.
to destroy her so she couldn’t
be with anyone else. I think it is
wrong and he should stay there
for the remainder of his life. I
hope he suffers through it.”
Walters described Crystal Mc-
Dowell as a “bright, shining an-
gel.”
“He took her from her babies,”
Walters said. “That little girl had
to watch her mother die. She cried
at the funeral when she saw her
mother’s picture. It is just wrong.
He deserves worse.”
Linda Avalos, who let Crystal
McDowell stay with her while
in good-faith efforts” to satisfy the
committee’s oversight needs and la-
beled the contempt vote “unneces-
sary and premature.”
It was not clear what would hap-
with the sentence.
“I’m definitely happy that the
jury did not do crime of passion,
because that is not what it was at
all,” Bedinger said. “But (Crys-
tal and I) talked everyday about
Steve. When I met him for the first
time, I told Jeff (Walters) there is
something wrong with him.”
Bedinger said the prosecution
and jury didn’t get the full story.
“They didn’t know the real
timeline (of her affairs),” Be-
dinger said. “There are only two
and the one guy she got an email
from, she knew him before Ste-
ven and her were together and
were even engaged. They bring
up stuff and make it sound like
she was a horrible person, but she
with Texas A & M Insti-
tute of Bio-Sciences and
Technology up until his
passing.
Archie had a passion
for older cars, his family
and being around friends.
Archie was preced-
ed in death by Father:
Lanai Banks Sr., Sister:
Cecil Mae Banks, Grand-
mother: Elizabeth Chil-
dress and Mabel Green.
Archie leaves behind
to cherish his memo-
ries, Children, Erskine
Branch, Jennissia Hen-
derson (Marcel), and
Mikal Pierre Banks;
Grandchildren: Nikayla,
Ja’Mya, Mattiln Hender-
son, and MiKayla Jade
Banks. A host of Nieces,
Nephews other relatives
and friends. Special aunt
Willie Mae Richardson,
Great Uncle Mitchell Lee
Smith and Uncle Sher-
man Lee Brooks.
Proctor’s Mortuary -
Liberty, is in charge of
final arrangements, 2221
Hwy 90 Liberty, TX.
77575 (936) 336-4165.
The guest book can be
signed; words of com-
fort and condolences for
the family can be left at
www.proctorsmortuary.
com.
Archie Lee Banks
62, of Wallisville, TX;
passed June 07, 2019.
Services will be Sat-
urday, June 15, 2019
at Proctor’s Mortuary
(Liberty) 2221 Hwy 90
Liberty, TX. Visitation
will begin at 11AM until
Funeral at 12Noon. Inter-
ment will be in St. Martin
Deporres Catholic Ceme-
tery, Crosby, TX.
Archie was bom May
31, 1957 in Wallisville,
TX; to Lanai Banks,
Sr. and Eula Mae Chil-
dress-Banks. He was
baptized at an early age.
He was raised and edu-
cated in Anahuac, TX.
Archie was employed
Meria Lew Kramer, 76,
passed away in Pasadena,
Texas on June 10, 2019.
She was bom on Octo-
ber 18,1942 in Mt. Pleas-
ant, Texas.
Visitation will be held
at Memorial Baptist
Church, 600 W Sterling
Ave, Baytown, Texas at
9:30 a.m. on Friday, June
14, 2019.
Funeral service will
begin at 11 a.m. Words
of comfort may be shared
with the family at www.
navarrefuneralhome. com
lenged him to let
more people know about the good
things happening in the school dis-
trict.
“With that in mind, he invited the
school district to partner with the city
in some advertising opportunities,”
O’Brien said.
That led to the “Here, We Grow
Giants” advertising campaign. He
said it has developed into aligning
the vision of the city and the school
start in the first quarter of have an estimated re-
next year. gional economic impact
At a March City Conn- of $70 million to $210
cil meeting, Alan Has- million. It is also likely to
senflu, Fidelis Realty directly result in the cre-
president and chief exec- ation of 280 to 845 direct
utive officer, said it would jobs and 330 to 988 indi-
probably be about two or rect jobs.
WASHINGTON — A House com-
does not mean entitled, so that
doesn’t mean he will get it.”
Kirkwood said Steven Mc-
Dowell has accepted the verdict
as well as the sentence.
“He asked for his day in court
and after days of evidence before
the jury, and they found him guilty
after about three to four hours.
He accepted that verdict,” Kirk-
wood said. “Basically, he was
questioned during the sentenc-
ing phase, and he said he’d ac-
cept whatever they gave him and
whatever they gave him would be
fair. I believe he accepts the 50
years as well.”
More than once, Steven Mc-
Dowell said he was remorseful
on the stand during both the reg-
ular portion and the sentencing
phase. Kirkwood said he has been
remorseful since the day he met
him.
“The jury saw in his confes-
sion that he was full of emotion
and crying, saying he was sorry
for it,” Kirkwood said. “People
saw him in the courtroom, crying.
Those are the same things I have
seen while he discussed his case
with me.”
Kirkwood added Steven Mc-
Dowell’s state of mind was “sta-
ble.”
“He has an understanding of
what happened,” he said.
During the trial, Steven Mc-
Dowell had claimed he “hugged”
Crystal McDowell to death, and
did not strangle her.
“The jury saw the video, and
you can see in his confession,
he makes a hugging movement,
not a chokehold movement,”
Kirkwood said. “If I heard him
correctly on the video, he says,
‘I hugged her’ and then the Tex-
as Ranger comes back and says,
‘You choked her?’ and he is just
shaking his head yes at that point
because he is breaking down.”
Kirkwood said this is not a new
theory.
“He has had this at least from
the time he confessed to the Texas
mittee voted Wednesday to hold two pen next. A resolution approved by
top Trump administration officials the House on Tuesday empowers
in contempt of Congress for failing committee chairs to sue top Trump
to comply with subpoenas for docu- administration officials to force com-
ments related to a decision adding a pliance with congressional subpoe-
citizenship question to the 2020 cen- nas without a vote of the full House,
sus. as long as they have approval from
The Democratic-controlled House a bipartisan group of House leaders.
Oversight Committee voted 24-15 to Action to hold Barr and Ross in
advance contempt measures against contempt on the census issue would
Attorney General William Barr and be a political blow but would not
Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, necessarily result in real punishment
Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan, who since the men are unlikely to go to
has said he supports an impeachment jail or be arrested.
inquiry against President Donald Democrats fear the citizenship
Trump, was the sole Republican to question will reduce census partici-
join with Democrats. pation in immigrant-heavy commu-
The vote sends the contempt mea- nities and result in a severe under-
sures to the full House, although con- count of minority voters. They say
gressional leaders could go directly they want specific documents to de-
to court to try to force compliance termine why Ross added the question
with the subpoenas under a resolu- to the 2020 census and contend the
tion approved earlier this week. administration has declined to pro-
The committee’s action marks an vide the documents despite repeated
escalation of Democratic efforts to requests.
use their House majority to aggres- The oversight panel’s chairman,
sively investigate the inner workings Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland,
of the Trump administration. said he was saddened by the vote, but
The vote came as the White House called it an important step to assert
asserted executive privilege on the Congress’ constitutional authority to
matter Wednesday. The Justice De- serve as a check on executive power,
partment said officials had “engaged “The census is something that is
Submitted photo
Chambers County sheriff Brian Hawthorne, right, escorts Steven Mc-
Dowell during court Wednesday. McDowell was sentenced to 50 years
in prison for the murder of his ex-wife Crystal McDowell.
Rangers until the time he got with prosecutorial experience.
me throughout the trial,” Kirk- “He is one of the best trial attor-
wood said. neys in the state, in my opinion,”
Lieck said despite the time it Lieck said. “My office is lucky to
took to reach a final sentence, have him.
she was proud of everyone that Lieck said with this prosecu-
worked on the case, including her tonal victory coupled with her
. c1 1 ~ 4001 successful conviction of Juan
team and Chambers County Sher- N1 1 112
. TT 11 , cc Chavez, who assisted in the mur-
iff Brian Hawthorne s office. , c‛. A 1 ,1 ,
cem, , . ders of teens Alex Chavez and
They were performing water Jarvis Morgan, her county is not
rescues at that time, and a couple a place where people can commit
of the deputies and investigators crimes and get away with them,
lost their homes but were still "The people that commit
working every day,” she said. crimes like this should know
Lieck was especially thankful we are dedicated to justice,” she
for the efforts of Assistant DA Ed said. “I truly think the citizens
Shettle, who has over 30 years of benefit.”
also of the parents to think about
what’s next beyond just getting
through high school.”
He continued by outlining some of
the district’s accomplishments.
Next year, the Stuart Career Tech
High School will have its first gradu-
ating class. When building improve-
ments are complete, it will have a ca-
pacity of about 800 to 900 students,
O’Brien said.
In another accomplishment,
O’Brien said that GCCISD gradu-
ates earned more than $17 million in
scholarships this year.
Assisting O’Brien with the pre-
1 g
/
• J X
so very, very important,” Cummings
told reporters after the vote. “It goes
to the bedrock of our very society
and our democracy. We need to make
sure the census is counted and count-
ed accurately.”
A spokeswoman for Barr said the
committee’s vote defied logic.
“Despite the committee’s political
games, the department will remain
focused on its critical work safe-
guarding the American people and
upholding the rule of law,” spokes-
woman Kerri Kupec said.
Ross said in a statement that the
committee’s vote “demonstrated its
scorn for the Constitution.” He ac-
cused Democrats of “continually
refusing to engage in the constitu-
tionally mandated accommodation
process.”
The administration has turned over
more than 17,000 of pages of docu-
ments and Ross testified for nearly
seven hours in March.
The Justice Department said two
senior officials were interviewed by
committee staff and said officials
sentation was Matt
Bolinger, executive
director of strategic
planning and innova-
tion.
O’Brien said that
several years ago,
then-mayor Steve
DonCarlos chai-
she was growing up, agreed the just wanted love.”
sentence was not enough. Bedinger said Crystal McDow-
“He’ll be out in 25 (years),” ell had found true love with Paul
Avalos said. “It is not enough Hargrave, the man she was dating
when you take a life. Those ba- at the time of her death.
bies will grow up without their “She kept saying she was hap-
mother. And for that girl to see py and happier than she had ever
what happened to her mother and been,” she said.
him to say it didn’t happen that Bedinger spoke about the job
way? 50 years is not enough. I Lieck did as a prosecutor.
hope he is miserable every day of “My honest opinion is that she
his life.” could have done a lot better,” she
Avalos described Crystal Me- said. “But she did a hell of a per-
Dowell as a loving person. fonnance today, but if she had all
“She adored those kids. And of the infonnation she would’ve
he just takes it all away,” Avalos gotten life for him. There were
said. “She would help anybody people she interviewed that Crys-
that needed help. She was always tai wasn’t around much. She was
like that. ” working her butt off in real estate.
Neither Chambers County Dis- She was working around Jeff and
trict Attorney Cheryl Lieck nor us.
defense attorney Keaton D. Kirk- She was telling me things and
wood opted to take a poll of the confiding in me. Jeff was never
jury. interviewed. He was the one that
Kirkwood said Steven Me- (the daughter) told first about the
Dowell could appeal the sentence black dress shaking and the ‘evil
if he so chooses. spirits’ got her. Why not talk to
“We have not discussed that as him? He was never called to the
of yet,” Kirkwood said. “I’ll give stand.”
him time to digest that and see Lieck said she felt like justice
what he wants to do in the very was served.
near future." “I understand where a couple
Tami Bedinger, a friend of members of the family may not
Crystal McDowell’s who worked be satisfied, but the difference
with her at Virginia Malone & As- between life and 50 is only five
sociates, said she was not happy years.” Lieck said. “Eligibility
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Bloom, David. The Baytown Sun (Baytown, Tex.), Vol. 99, No. 115, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 13, 2019, newspaper, June 13, 2019; Baytown, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1467743/m1/3/: accessed July 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Sterling Municipal Library.