During Monday’s meeting between the Hockley County Commissioners Court, discussion over the details of the pending Omar Soto-Chavira case was held.
Hockley County District Attorney Angela Overman presented an item to the commissioners asking for the approval to use $560,000 to bring on former Lubbock County prosecutors Tray Payne and Matt Powell to prosecute the case for a flat fee which would include a team of experts from their firm.
Overman explained that her office had secured a grant of roughly $730,000 and hoped to use a portion of the money to hire outside counsel to try the case. Hockley County applied for a grant through the governor’s office to help fund the capital murder trial.
She also informed the commissioners that the time is not in their favor with the trial set for September 16 and a big portion of the legwork being discovery needing to be done. Overman added that a capital murder case seeking the death penalty usually requires a team to tackle the case efficiently.
During the lengthy discussion, Hockley County Judge Sharla Baldridge and the court posed several questions to Overman about the contract received from Payne and Powell.
One of those details included half payment once the contract was signed and the remaining portion on September 1. The group showed their concern over payment with essentially no strings attached which only put the county in a precarious spot if the contract was not upheld by the prosecutions end.
Questions were had if the case was potentially moved further along in the year or into next year where Donnie Yandell would be the new district attorney.
The commissioners had questions if the prosecutors would still work with the county if the case was moved or if they would work with Yandell if the case was moved into 2025.
Baldrige reminded the court that the funds secured is a reimbursement grant which means Hockley County would have to comply to the grants requirements. It was also mentioned in the contract provided by the prosecutors that meeting requirements and logging important information would not fall on to them.
Overman offered her services to ensure the grant requirements would be fulfilled, however, the court shared they did not feel comfortable with that option and asked if there were any addditional options or plans Overman may have.
Baldridge explained that if the county fails to meet the grant’s requirements, then they will not be reimbursed and the $560,000 expense will fall on taxpayers.
Overman was asked about the aid of the Attorney Generals Office which she sited they have yet to reach back out to her after initial contact. Additionally, it was asked if the Lubbock District Attorney’s office would consider working on the case, but Overman explained that they have their hands full with their own cases.
Overman added that she was open to trying the case herself but added that the extent of the case requires additional members to aid in what could be a four to six week case.
The commissioners continued to go back and forth on the contract and stated the contract left them scared to move forward.
Baldridge added that she invited Payne and Powell to attend Monday’s meeting to help provide some clarification and answer the court’s questions, but the attorneys were unable to attend.
In turn, multiple commissioners questioned the prosecutors willingness to be a part of the case.
Baldridge explained that Overman can still utilize the grant money, but it will be spent elsewhere in the case.
Baldrige shared her sympathies with Sgt. Bartlett’s family and added they hope to see justice administered but being good stewards of the county and their tax dollars is their responsibility.
Ultimately, the court rejected the contract which puts Overman and her assistant district attorneys over the case.
Additional news provided about the upcoming case were included with a judge approving a change of venue to Lubbock.
A new order shows Omar Soto-Chavira will now face a Lubbock jury on capital murder charges in the death of Sgt. Joshua Bartlett.
The order states Hockley County will reimburse Lubbock County for the expenses of trying the case here in Lubbock.
Soto-Chavira was originally set to stand trial in East Texas..
Sergeant Bartlett was killed during a standoff in Levelland on July 15, 2021.
The Lubbock County Sherriff’s Office SWAT Team was called to assist the Levelland Police Department for reports of a barricaded subject. Police say Omar Soto-Chavira started shooting at them when they arrived and injured five officers and killed Sgt. Bartlett.