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Date Posted: Thursday, March 26, 06:13:05pm
Author: Sarah
Subject: Jury sentences man to life in prison for DWI murder

Here is the link to the Conroe Courier Newspapter article below.

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/03/26/conroe_courier/breaking_news/schmidt0327.txt



Updated: 03.26.09
A Montgomery County Jury sentenced Harold Blain Schmidt to life in prison Thursday after convicting him of felony murder in the May 11, 2008, drunk-driving death of Lexie Edward Haynes IV, of Montgomery County.

The felony murder charge was pursued as a result of the three prior driving while intoxicated convictions on Schmidt’s record. Schmidt’s blood alcohol content was approximately four times the legal limit at the time of the crash.

Brett Peabody and Rob Freyer presented the case for the state, led by investigating Officer Jeff Smith, of the Conroe Police Department. Smith testified that while on bond following an arrest for his fourth DWI, Schmidt failed to yield the right of way to a motorcycle driven by Haynes. The 58-year-old Schmidt, of Onalaska, had disabled the ignition interlock device he was required to have on his vehicle as a condition of his bond. Cheryl Haynes, Haynes’ wife, was a passenger on the motorcycle and is permanently disabled as a result of the crash. The jury sentenced the defendant to the maximum of 20 years in prison for the intoxication assault charge associated with her injuries.

They also handed down two 16-year sentences to Schmidt for fleeing from the scene of the accident and running to hide in the woods. Maximum fines were assessed in each count.

After the verdicts were pronounced by 359th District Court Judge Kathleen Hamilton, multiple victims’ family members described a fun-loving couple who enjoyed horseback riding and drag racing as a family. Jurors cried as Haynes’ mother described observing the couple underneath their mustang preparing it for the next race.

“This family should never have had to experience such a tragic loss,” District Attorney Brett Ligon said. “Mr. Schmidt turned his vehicle into a deadly weapon when he got behind the wheel that night. While no amount of prison time can heal these families’ wounds, I want to assure the public that we will continue to pursue maximum sentences on repeat DWI offenders until Montgomery County loses the distinction of having some of the deadliest roadways in the state.”

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