Thomas E. Ladner v. State Texas

On January 5, 1988, in Cause Nos. 5043, 5044 and 5045 in Sabine County, Texas, Thomas E. Ladner, Billy Ray Horton, and James M. Hyden (hereinafter referred to as appellants), were separately indicted for the offense of Violating the Civil Rights of a Prisoner, charged pursuant to V.T.C.A. Penal Code, ? 39.021. On July 15, 1988, a jury in Sabine County found the appellants "not guilty." While these indictments were pending, on March 3, 1988, in Smith County, Texas, the appellants were separately indicted for the offense of murder in Cause Nos. 12-88-00193-CR, 12-88-00194-CR and 12-88-00195-CR presently pending in the 241st Judicial District Court. The Smith County and Sabine County indictments arose from an incident involving the death of Loyal Garner, Jr., which occurred on December 25, 1987.