Thursday, March 28, 2024

Officials from Somervell, Erath enlisted for case of alleged theft of GISD campaign signs

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A visiting judge and a visiting prosecutor will handle the politically charged case involving former Republican precinct chair Van Vernon and his alleged theft of three Granbury School Board candidates’ campaign signs.

Vernon has entered a plea of not guilty. He is represented by attorney R. Shay Isham.

The case was filed with the office of Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Roger “Cotton” Howell.

However, it will be the JP for Precinct 2 in Somervell County, Scott May, who will preside over the proceedings when the case goes to court at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 30, according to a staffer in Howell’s office.

Erath County District Attorney Alan Nash will prosecute the case, the staffer said.

Vernon has been charged with three Class C misdemeanors for his alleged theft in October of campaign signs belonging to Barbara Townsend, Paula McDonald and Billy Wimberly.

A witness identified Vernon, an elected member of the Acton Municipal Utility Board, as the man he saw taking the signs from a property near Lakeside Baptist Church.

Sheriff Roger Deeds said that a deputy recovered the signs from Vernon’s home.