Shaw sentenced to life in prison for 2018 murder

Jacob Russell Shaw has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2018 murder of Kimberly Lynn Harmony, which occurred at a residence on Peak Road in Hood County, according to a news release from District Attorney Ryan Sinclair.

The case, as explained by Sinclair, also includes one fortunate turn of events in which a faithful dog likely saved the life of another woman who was attacked by the man. Witnesses stated that Shaw had been using drugs prior to Harmony’s tragic death, Sinclair noted.

Shaw, now 23, went to trail starting on June 3, also charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, cruelty to an animal/non-livestock, and harassment of a public servant in a correctional facility. He had previously elected to have his case tried before a judge instead of a jury, and pleaded guilty to all counts to 355^th District Court Judge Bryan Bufkin, Sinclair noted.   

Sinclair’s news release states that in November 2018, Shaw was staying at Belinda Lane’s residence on Peak Road.

The district attorney stated, “A few days prior to Thanksgiving Shaw began acting unusual. Witnesses suspected Shaw was using drugs again,” the DA’s news release states. “On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Shaw snapped. He began a stabbing rampage and violently attacked Kimberly Lynn Harmony, who also lived at the residence. Mrs. Harmony suffered massive injuries and died quickly.”

The news release continues, “Shaw also stabbed several dogs, killing one. Shaw then attacked Belinda Lane, causing serious bodily injury. Mrs. Lane’s life was saved when her German Shepherd dog attacked Shaw, allowing her to escape and call for help. Deputies responded and found Shaw on top of the German Shepherd in the garage. Shaw was arrested and taken to jail. But while in jail, he assaulted an officer by spitting on him.”

Sinclair noted that the case was investigated primarily by the Hood County Sheriff’s Office. After Sinclair presented the evidence to the court, he “asked the court to sentence Shaw to the maximum sentence for each of the charges. The court granted the district attorney’s requests, and sentenced Shaw to life in prison for the murder of Kimberly Harmony, 20 years for the aggravated assault of Belinda Lane, 10 years for animal cruelty, and 10 years for spitting on the jailer.”

The prison sentences, which were also given on June 3, will run concurrently. Shaw could be eligible for parole after he serves 30 years in prison, Sinclair noted.

“I’m very happy to see the victims receive justice on this case,” Sinclair stated. “Shaw is a dangerous young man who committed horribly gruesome crimes. But thankfully he will never be able to harm any citizens of Hood County again. I’d also like to thank the Hood County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case. Deputies responded to the scene quickly and likely prevented Shaw from harming or murdering anyone else that night.”