McCuin Had History Of Violence
(Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)
Onlookers grieve at 423 Princess Place in Wellington Place subdivision, west of Tyler, on Saturday afternoon where the body of Jana Shearer, 21, was found Saturday morning.
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
Copyright Tyler Morning Telegraph
Subdued by shackles and chains, Christopher Lee McCuin - accused of brutally killing his girlfriend and mutilating her body - calmly appeared in court Monday and was advised of the capital murder charge against him.
The 25-year-old Tyler man could face life in prison or lethal injection if convicted. Accused of kidnapping, beating to death and even cooking some body parts of Jana Shearer, 21, on Saturday, McCuin has a violent history that involves shooting at people he claimed owed him money. The convicted felon already had two pending felony charges against him for a November incident with Tyler Police when he was arrested Saturday.
Judge Jack Skeen Jr., of the 241st District Court, read McCuin his Miranda rights and set his bond at $2 million for the capital murder charge. Skeen also advised him of a charge of retaliation, for which he had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the alleged murder. Skeen set his bond for that offense at $50,000.
McCuin entered the courtroom in a standard jail-issue jumpsuit. He quietly answered the judge's questions during the brief court hearing. Tyler defense attorneys Jeff Haas and Guy Conine were appointed to represent him in both cases after McCuin said he could not afford to hire his own counsel.
Skeen sealed the search and arrest warrant affidavits in the case, after a joint motion to keep the usually public documents secret was made by Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham, First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes and defense counsel. The judge also issued a restrictive and protective order, limiting what attorneys and others involved in the case can divulge to the public.
Because there has been some indication of possible cannibalism in the case, the story has garnered national attention and the small courtroom was packed with media.
Staff Writer
Copyright Tyler Morning Telegraph
Subdued by shackles and chains, Christopher Lee McCuin - accused of brutally killing his girlfriend and mutilating her body - calmly appeared in court Monday and was advised of the capital murder charge against him.
The 25-year-old Tyler man could face life in prison or lethal injection if convicted. Accused of kidnapping, beating to death and even cooking some body parts of Jana Shearer, 21, on Saturday, McCuin has a violent history that involves shooting at people he claimed owed him money. The convicted felon already had two pending felony charges against him for a November incident with Tyler Police when he was arrested Saturday.
Judge Jack Skeen Jr., of the 241st District Court, read McCuin his Miranda rights and set his bond at $2 million for the capital murder charge. Skeen also advised him of a charge of retaliation, for which he had a warrant out for his arrest at the time of the alleged murder. Skeen set his bond for that offense at $50,000.
McCuin entered the courtroom in a standard jail-issue jumpsuit. He quietly answered the judge's questions during the brief court hearing. Tyler defense attorneys Jeff Haas and Guy Conine were appointed to represent him in both cases after McCuin said he could not afford to hire his own counsel.
Skeen sealed the search and arrest warrant affidavits in the case, after a joint motion to keep the usually public documents secret was made by Smith County District Attorney Matt Bingham, First Assistant District Attorney April Sikes and defense counsel. The judge also issued a restrictive and protective order, limiting what attorneys and others involved in the case can divulge to the public.
Because there has been some indication of possible cannibalism in the case, the story has garnered national attention and the small courtroom was packed with media.
CRIMINAL RECORD
Smith County records show McCuin is familiar with the criminal justice system.
In 2003, McCuin was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A dispute over money erupted into gunplay on April 29, 2003, after an enraged McCuin opened fire on the alleged debtor's home, then claiming he would return to "finish the task," officials said at the time. But a Smith County sheriff's deputy intercepted the suspect and took him into custody before he could reach the victim's residence a second time.
The victim reported that he "had been having trouble with the suspect, who kept calling him all the time," Lt. Steve Chaney said at the time. "The suspect showed up ... drove into the yard in a red Honda and started doing donuts."
When the residents emerged, McCuin started firing. Several shots went through the walls of the home, narrowly missing the occupants. The suspect fled and the homeowner called authorities.
"While the deputy was there, (McCuin) called on the phone," Chaney said. "The deputy heard the (McCuin) threaten to come back and finish the task."
But McCuin was stopped and arrested by authorities, who found an assault rifle in his vehicle.
On Nov. 8, 2007, McCuin was arrested again for a run-in with Tyler police, who attempted to stop McCuin for driving while intoxicated near the Broadway Square Mall. He allegedly fled from Officer William Steinmiller. After he was apprehended, McCuin allegedly threatened Steinmiller in retaliation for his service as a police officer and spit in his face, according to his indictments.
Because of his prior felony conviction, the retaliation charge was enhanced to a second-degree felony, carrying a two- to 20-year sentence, while the evading arrest with a vehicle was upgraded to a third-degree felony, which carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison.
At the time of his arrest Saturday, McCuin had a warrant out for his arrest for the retaliation charge because his bonds had been increased since the indictment was issued Nov. 29.
McCuin has also been arrested and convicted of several misdemeanor offenses.
In October 2000, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and received one-year probation, which was revoked in March 2001, when he was arrested for being a minor in possession of alcohol and driving without a driver's license and insurance, according to Smith County records. He has also been arrested for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, assault, and other traffic offenses.
Staff Writer Jacque Hilburn contributed to this report.
In 2003, McCuin was sentenced to three years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
A dispute over money erupted into gunplay on April 29, 2003, after an enraged McCuin opened fire on the alleged debtor's home, then claiming he would return to "finish the task," officials said at the time. But a Smith County sheriff's deputy intercepted the suspect and took him into custody before he could reach the victim's residence a second time.
The victim reported that he "had been having trouble with the suspect, who kept calling him all the time," Lt. Steve Chaney said at the time. "The suspect showed up ... drove into the yard in a red Honda and started doing donuts."
When the residents emerged, McCuin started firing. Several shots went through the walls of the home, narrowly missing the occupants. The suspect fled and the homeowner called authorities.
"While the deputy was there, (McCuin) called on the phone," Chaney said. "The deputy heard the (McCuin) threaten to come back and finish the task."
But McCuin was stopped and arrested by authorities, who found an assault rifle in his vehicle.
On Nov. 8, 2007, McCuin was arrested again for a run-in with Tyler police, who attempted to stop McCuin for driving while intoxicated near the Broadway Square Mall. He allegedly fled from Officer William Steinmiller. After he was apprehended, McCuin allegedly threatened Steinmiller in retaliation for his service as a police officer and spit in his face, according to his indictments.
Because of his prior felony conviction, the retaliation charge was enhanced to a second-degree felony, carrying a two- to 20-year sentence, while the evading arrest with a vehicle was upgraded to a third-degree felony, which carries a punishment of two to 10 years in prison.
At the time of his arrest Saturday, McCuin had a warrant out for his arrest for the retaliation charge because his bonds had been increased since the indictment was issued Nov. 29.
McCuin has also been arrested and convicted of several misdemeanor offenses.
In October 2000, he was convicted of driving while intoxicated and received one-year probation, which was revoked in March 2001, when he was arrested for being a minor in possession of alcohol and driving without a driver's license and insurance, according to Smith County records. He has also been arrested for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, assault, and other traffic offenses.
Staff Writer Jacque Hilburn contributed to this report.
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