Sheriff: Murder suspect McLaughlin re-arrested

Jeffrey Bryan McLaughlin has been re-arrested and is back in the Hood County Jail, Sheriff Roger Deeds told the Hood County News at about 2 p.m. Thursday, 72 hours or less after the murder suspect was released on reduced bond.

Deeds said that District Judge Bryan Bufkin issued a warrant for McLaughlin’s arrest due to alleged “bond violations.”

He said that he did not yet have any further details.

McLaughlin, 58, was arrested on New Year’s Day and charged with the murder of his wife Venisa, an attorney and former prosecutor in the district attorney’s office.

Conditions for his release included an ankle monitor, the surrender of his passport, and having no contact with the victim’s two daughters.

McLaughlin’s bond was initially set for $250,000 but was lowered to $150,000 upon an agreement between his legal counsel and District Attorney Ryan Sinclair with approval from Bufkin.

Deeds said that at the time McLaughlin bonded out of jail, former district attorney Rob Christian of the Christian & Christian law firm was McLaughlin’s attorney.

HELP FOR FAMILY

Those who would like to provide financial assistance to Venisa’s daughters, Cecily McLaughlin and Tabitha McLaughlin, can donate to The McLaughlin Family Benefit Account at First National Bank of Granbury, 101 E. Bridge St.

According to a post on Tabitha’s Facebook page, a memorial service for Venisa is planned for Friday, Jan. 13, in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The post stated that a memorial service in Granbury will be scheduled at a later date.