Bertram Police department

Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

A former Bertram police chief has pled guilty to oppression and abuse, surrendered his peace officer's license, received an eight-day jail sentence, and exhibited “remorse” which influencing his judge-ordered penalty, officials said.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

Security and safety for Bertram city employees and residents — through improvements at City Hall and through police staffing — were among the top things discussed at the Tuesday, April 9, Bertram City Council meeting.

By Nathan Hendrix
Staff Writer

The City of Bertram is looking to heal the wounds of the past and prepare for the future with the hiring of a new police chief.

From staff reports

The City of Bertram amended requirements for a reserve police officer position and approved the separatation agreement with former police chief JJ Wilson at their Dec. 18 City Council meeting.

By Richard Zowie
Staff Writer

Embattled former City of Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson has agreed to reimburse the city for a $1,000 deductible to acquire a new police cruiser that he's been charged with crashing in October.

By Richard Zowie
Staff Writer

The 33rd/424th Judicial District grand jury has handed down another indictment for suspended Bertram Police Chief James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson.

Editor's Note: Bertram Police Chief JJ Wilson offered comments in response to the indictments against him in the Friday, Oct. 5 issue of The Highlander. In that same issue, 33rd/424th Judicial District Attorney Wiley ("Sonny") McAfee also offered a statement from the DA's office.

By Connie Swinney
Staff Writer

The 424th Judicial District Grand Jury indicted Bertram Police Chief James Jay (“JJ”) Wilson Oct. 2 on charges of felony aggravated perjury, felony misuse of official information and misdemeanor official oppression, court documents stated.

The charges stemmed from three incident allegations in Burnet County in connection with a dispute over hay ownership, the release of criminal background information and a sworn statement in a drug-related arrest, according to the grand jury indictments.

Tekecha Milena Quinonce

By Lew K. Cohn

Managing Editor

The Highlander

A biological, non-custodial mother who abducted her children from Bertram Elementary School faces felony charges in Burnet County after her May 22 arrest.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

Burnet Bulletin

Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, Feb. 15 for a young Burnet man killed in a freak accident at his home.

Justin Battles, 26, a graduate of Burnet High School, died at his home Saturday night, Feb. 10, in an accident that left him pinned between his truck and a wall of home in Bertram.

“He had a little fire pit and he liked to cook out there,” said Bertram police chief J.J. Wilson. “He had music playing in his truck and the theory is that he must have reached in to turn the music off and knocked the standard shift into gear.

“He only had a second to respond to try to get it back out of gear when it began to move forward in first gear and pinned him against the house.”