[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6384459,"mediaKeyId","2122614-2d002d54e53182a5db6e4a41ae18cec9","parentId",2122614,"title","Jury convicts Tracy Marie Samuel of murder; sentences her to 30 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice","audioSeconds",13731,"startMs",9796355,"endMs",23528190,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122614-2d002d54e53182a5db6e4a41ae18cec9&start=9796&end=23528","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122614-2d002d54e53182a5db6e4a41ae18cec9/thumbnail_9796355.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6384459/Texas/Jury-convicts-Tracy-Marie-Samuel-of-murder-sentences-her-to-30-years-in-Texas-Department-of-Criminal-Justice","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384459-a02b06564987aabd5bb2336e27d6f8d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158231&Signature=RFETxWyKW0wJrg6lB~YzCmvBmGmZBvYzZf-BPemKf7DcnJLe46weF9Vq~X~5GL8t0ei1ItErYfd0MDkjspkf~oo97PDGzseyHXOxwPSqlKhMnc1GYJSL7cney06SVWYxIuOvsWSf6yiZ4YI7G~rlxS2-72XmepfWWzDZyxRbxWxTr5xVbnJdkINn7MnNbM~SgL0sJnM7UOaTQARnxXsi-cjJ-Jh87dJWnBWV4fFBhK7Hr7gIfRoSErTPZN9onCf74XjD4721j3zQMEkOlHIZ-NKFnPnYRGuK4NtMhpl6aeYIKPWoWxFTlYRhKHplRSqPNjqEJItjofDTNrA-~1mrTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-01-16T21:53:44Z","article","A Jefferson County jury found defendant Tracy Marie Samuel guilty of murder and in a subsequent punishment phase assessed a 30-year term in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with no fine. The judge accepted the jury’s punishment verdict and sentenced Samuel to 30 years, to be served in the institutional division; she was remanded to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department pending transfer to TDCJ.

The verdict: After closing arguments, the jury returned a unanimous verdict that the defendant was guilty of murder as charged in the indictment (Cause No. 23, DCCR 1793). The trial record shows the foreperson confirmed the verdict was unanimous and handed the verdict to the bailiff.

Punishment phase and testimony: During the punishment phase, the state called Marilyn Renee Lewis, the victim’s sister, who described the impact of Delbert Charles Lewis’s death on the family and urged the jury to impose the maximum sentence. The defense called a witness identified variously in the transcript as Captain Field (the court record also shows the defense called “Kathy Beal”); that witness described the defendant as a person who had sought treatment for drug problems and asked the jury to show mercy.

Arguments: Defense counsel argued that Samuel’s long history of substance use and reported intoxication at the time of the event undercut proof of intentional conduct, asking jurors to consider mercy and the possibility of rehabilitation. The defense stated on the record that the defendant had been drug-free for about 15 months before trial and urged a lesser sentence or rehabilitation options. The prosecutor emphasized facts from the evidence—placement of the victim in the bed, the location of a handgun on the nightstand, and video and investigative exhibits—and argued the shooting was an intentional or knowing act that justified a substantial prison term. The prosecutor noted the Lewis family’s loss and asked the jury to hold the defendant accountable.

Record details: The judge gave the jury the statutory instructions and punishment-range guidance required under Texas law, including the range for a murder conviction (5–99 years or life) and advisories about parole eligibility. The jury selected punishment of 30 years’ imprisonment and no fine. After the jury returned its unanimous punishment verdict, the judge imposed sentence in conformity with the jury’s verdict, ordered the defendant remanded for transport to TDCJ and provided the defendant with the court’s certification and a written admonishment about firearms possession ineligibility under Texas law.

Why it matters: The jury’s finding of guilt on the murder charge and the 30-year term will result in a multi-decade period of incarceration under TDCJ, affecting the defendant, the victim’s family and local public safety and criminal-justice stakeholders.

What the record does and does not show: The transcript includes defense claims that Detective Holmes could not state the shooting was intentional and defense argument that intoxication affected memory and intent; the prosecutor argued evidence supported intentional or knowing conduct. The transcript records the verdicts and sentencing; it does not include any post-trial appeals or motions recorded on the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Judge Raquel West's Personal Meeting Room","oneSentenceSummary","A Jefferson County jury found Tracy Marie Samuel guilty of murder. After a punishment-phase hearing that included victim-impact testimony and mitigation, the jury assessed a 30-year prison term; the judge imposed a 30-year sentence and remanded Samuel to county custody for transport to TDCJ.","taxTitle","252nd District Court, District Court Judges, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66306,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6384465,"Defense requests mistrial after juror and defendant briefly encountered each other at LaSalle; court pauses to research",137,22555,159579,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2122614-2d002d54e53182a5db6e4a41ae18cec9&start=22&end=159","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2122614-2d002d54e53182a5db6e4a41ae18cec9/thumbnail_22555.jpg","/articles/6384465/Texas/Defense-requests-mistrial-after-juror-and-defendant-briefly-encountered-each-other-at-LaSalle-court-pauses-to-research","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6384465-2aeb4add9e3aa314d8d5b09c7cfdfcfc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771158231&Signature=GRSzI06UU3P368hATbtS4e7glSbufJyC1~1vEt90s9YeYzwjPsU~-AFQUYpR8tYC5dz~kWgf6bKYjKdy20DErkk13yVE0iPL-xrJ1T7FGcVjax6EejxkRNc5lkocRLLNvDQndx6QWIVS-F9xn8fMf0spoERLac2ZEjcxboXNk7ei55jVhp7skuvNWJltk26PRdBN1mGzeeFBnIJQWPbOPBFtyaWV2wKmfLjRZVxlp4XdF~JuW79k6DOhyjcoIZs~0lpr71TtGJ97opHsRl9bHnlWQpeEmMQNrvQC0nXvFMFfs3~RbZGMfn7nYGiwQhlqY6ZF2oBgO8cYoOrRMRcw1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A defense attorney raised a mistrial request after the court was informed that Juror No. 15 (identified in court as Cooper) and the defendant, Tracy Marie Samuel, briefly rode the same elevator at the juror’s workplace, LaSalle. Deputy Milhouse reported the encounter to the court, and defense counsel said the appearance of impropriety required a mistrial.

The issue surfaced shortly after opening court that day. Defense counsel (Mister Vasquez) told the judge, “because of the appearance of impropriety, that I have to ask for a mistrial.” The judge said he would go off the record to research the matter and “go on upstairs and ask them.” The court recessed while parties looked for applicable case law and made inquiries.

The judge later brought the proceedings back on the record, read the court’s charge in full to the jury, and proceeded with the case. The transcript does not contain an explicit on-the-record ruling granting a mistrial; instead, after the recess the court reconvened, provided the jury instructions, and continued with closing arguments and later deliberations.

Why it matters: Juror contact with parties or witnesses can raise legal questions about impartiality and the right to a fair trial. The defense’s request prompted a court inquiry and a short recess for research; how the court resolves complaints of juror contact can affect whether a new trial is required.

What was said and who acted: The initial report to the court—that Juror No. 15, Cooper, had been in an elevator with Ms. Samuel while in his work uniform at LaSalle—was conveyed by Deputy Milhouse. Defense counsel moved for a mistrial on the record. The judge paused proceedings to research case law and to ask court staff to make inquiries. After the recess the court read the jury charge and the trial continued.

What the record does and does not show: The transcript records the defense’s motion for a mistrial and the judge’s recess to research the issue. The record does not contain an explicit written or oral denial or grant of the mistrial motion; instead, the court resumed the trial and read the charge to the jury. The article does not infer or assert an explicit denial beyond what the transcript records.

Next steps reflected in the record: The case resumed with the court reading the jury charge and proceeding to closing arguments and later jury deliberations.","During trial in the 252nd District Court, defense counsel moved for a mistrial after Deputy Milhouse reported that Juror No. 15 (Cooper) rode an elevator at LaSalle with defendant Tracy Marie Samuel. The judge recessed to research the issue; the court later reconvened and proceeded with jury instructions and closing arguments.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Jury convicts Tracy Marie Samuel of murder; sentences her to 30 years in Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Defense requests mistrial after juror and defendant briefly encountered each other at LaSalle; court pauses to research