DA Sonny McAfee

A Blanco man has been sentenced to multiple life sentences for aggravated robbery, aggravated sexual assault and aggravated kidnapping to be served, in part, consecutively to prevent his ever being released.

Timothy Wade Foth, 39, last known to have resided at 625 Forest View Drive, Blanco. was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 24, by a Blanco County jury to three life sentences for Aggravated Sexual Assault plus 99 years for Aggravated Kidnapping along with 50 years and a $10,000 fine for Aggravated Robbery after a three-day day trial in Blanco County.

In a press release Tuesday, Jan. 30, Sonny McAfee, 33rd and 424th Judicial District Attorney   praised the cooperative effort between law enforcement at various levels to obtain justice for the victim.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The death sentence was taken off the table for a Blanco County man Friday, Feb. 3, when he entered a guilty plea in 33rd District Court in Burnet and accepted a life sentence for the murder of a child.

John Cody Lawrence, 24, appeared before District Judge Allan Garrett, to plead guilty to capital murder of a child under the age of 10, as well a four counts of assaulting a public servant.

The case made headlines in San Antonio last year, when the 15-month-daughter of Lawrence's girlfriend died in University Hospital there on May 5.

That was two days after Sunny Dakota Slade-Bort was found in the couple’s Blanco apartment bruised and unresponsive by emergency medical services and was air lifted to San Antonio.

District Attorney Wiley “Sonny” McAfee said he was contacted when the child was put on life support.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Garrett James Ballard was found guilty on two counts of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole on Monday, Dec. 12, in the 33rd District Court of Judge Allan Garrett.

He was charged in the shooting of two close friends, Elijah “Eli” Adam Benson, a 17-year-old Burnet High School student, and Travis Leslie Fox, a 26-year-old Burnet High School graduate.

After a week of testimony, the jury was out just over half an hour from deliberation to verdict, 2:10 p.m. -2:45 p.m.

“Once found guilty of capital murder, when the state does not seek the death penalty, life with no possibility of parole is the automatic sentence,” said District Attorney Sonny McAfee.

The decision not seek the death penalty in this case was made in cooperation with the victims' families from the outset.