TEXARKANA, Texas -- A Texarkana woman who authorities say was drunk when she caused a fatal collision with a motorcycle driver last year wants to be free of the financial burden that comes with the leg monitor she is required to wear as a condition of her bond.
Callie Jones, 58, appeared with Texarkana lawyer Joe Tyler for a pre-indictment hearing Wednesday afternoon before District Judge Bobby Lockhart at the Bi-State Justice Building in downtown Texarkana. During the hearing, Tyler asked Lockhart if there were any other conditions the court could impose in lieu of the electronic monitor Jones has been wearing since her release on bond after her arrest Sept. 3.
Tyler said the monthly payment for the monitor is a struggle for Jones and asked if she could be required to submit to regular, random drug testing or some other measure. Kelley Crisp, an assistant district attorney for Bowie County, Texas, said the state objects to the removal of Jones' leg monitor.
"She cost a man his life," Crisp said.
Lockhart told Tyler he would "need to think about that" before rendering a decision on the monitor.
Crisp told Lockhart that the state and defense are not able to reach a plea agreement in Jones' case. Tyler requested the case be referred to a Bowie County grand jury. If the grand jury indicts Jones on a charge of intoxication manslaughter, the case will proceed to trial.
Jones is accused of being drunk and striking the motorcycle 29-year-old Skylar Crenshaw was driving, according to a probable-cause affidavit.
Jones was driving south on Reading Avenue and stopped at a stop sign at New Boston Road in Texarkana, Texas, before continuing south on Reading. She failed to see Crenshaw, who was hurled into a utility pole support cable when he was hit, according to the affidavit.
Crenshaw died at the scene, authorities said. When detectives arrived at the scene, they were told by paramedics and patrol officers that Jones smelled strongly of alcohol, according to the affidavit.
Jones told investigators she'd had "one or two beers," but an officer observed a shot glass in the front cup holder of her vehicle, an open beer can in the rear cup holder, and moisture on the floor "as if something had been spilled," according to the affidavit.
Jones consented to have her blood drawn at a hospital to be screened and was asked to perform field sobriety tests. Jones performed poorly on sobriety tests at the hospital, according to the affidavit.
Jones was given the opportunity to attempt field sobriety tests again at the jail but nearly fell over, according to the affidavit.
Jones was not given a date to return to court but will be sent a notice to appear if a grand jury indicts her. Jones could face two to 20 years in prison if indicted and convicted of intoxication manslaughter.
Metro on 03/11/2018