BEAUMONT - It sounds like a less than believable plot twist in a legal novel, but it could be enough to delay the execution of a Beaumont man on Texas' death row.
Marvin Lee Wilson is scheduled for execution August 7. He was convicted of the 1992 shooting death of Jerry Williams. Investigators say Williams was a police informant. A Beaumont city bus driver found Williams' naked body near Irving Street in November of 1992. He was shot in the head and 'neck.
Prosecutors say the victim was killed because Wilson and another man thought he had snitched to police.
But Monday a witness testified before senior Criminal District Court Judge Larry Gist that someone else pulled the trigger. The fate of death row inmate Marvin Wilson now rests with Judge Gist, based on the testimony of Bennie Nettles, now in custody at the Jefferson County Jail.
About a month ago, police investigators were interviewing Nettles in connection
with a robbery. Nettles told police he knew who killed Williams in 1992 and that it wasn't Marvin Wilson.
Monday Nettles testified a terminally ill man by the name of Billie Ray Joseph told him four years ago he and another man pulled the trigger in the shooting, and the man convicted of the crime, Marvin Wilson, didn't do it.
Asked why he's waited until now to come forward, Nettles says Joseph told him to wait until there was an execution date because that's when someone was more likely to pay attention.
There are problems with the testimony.
Billie Ray Joseph, the man Nettles says confessed, died from cancer.
And Nettles, when he first told investigators about the confession, said he was there at the crime scene, but he
was in jail.
Now he says police misunderstood him.
But David Barlow, the attorney who was court-appointed to represent Marvin Wilson at this single hearing says the detail in the testimony makes it compelling.
So what happens now?
Well, the case against Marvin Wilson has already taken a few turns. He was first convicted in 1994. A court overturned that conviction. He was re-tried in 1998 and convicted again.
In 2004 he claimed mental retardation. The courts denied that claim.
Judge Gist, if he decides Monday's testimony carried any weight, could halt the August 7 execution while the legal system sorts out the case against Marvin Wilson.
Man testifies inmate set for execution isn't the real killer
Related Stories
- More Texas News
- National News
- International News
- Texas district that axed sports may get new life
- Texas search team to help after Okla. twister
- Longview police officer, suspect injured in chase
- Man shot outside Houston-area bar fight dies
- Help could be available for uninsured West losses
- Texas House mulls new district for failing schools
- NE Texas expects severe storms, possible tornadoes
- Rare $10 bill marked for city of West to be sold
- House to vote on drug testing for welfare benefits
- Bill bars future governors from Medicaid expansion
- Face-chewing victim continues recovery in Miami
- Peace Corps to accept same-sex couples
- Lawmakers hand Myanmar leader prisoner list
- Protesters chant 'IRS has got to go' in Cincinnati
- Man charged in death of missing Maine teenager
- WikiLeaks prosecutor accepts GI's plea to 1 count
- Police chief: No charges likely in Va parade crash
- No charges in death of amputee mauled by dogs
- Official: No drugs, alcohol found in Conn. gunman
- 5 Serbs released from Libya after 21 months
- Pigeon sale yields world record for feathered Bolt
- Court frees man in murder that shocked SAfricans
- Rebels in C. African Republic protest conditions
- Kyrgyzstan bent on evicting US air base in 2014
- Reports: Iran bars 2 top figures from June ballot
- Warsaw ghetto insurgent Boruch Spiegel dies at 93
- 2 donkeys suspected in mauling death in Hungary
- Female Saudi Everest climber happy to change views
- Saudi Arabia says arrests 10 from Iranian spy ring
- Cholera outbreak hits Malian refugee camp in Niger
Automotive
Find valuable information about buying your next car, including price quotes and your latest automotive news.
Wedding Central
The greatest Southeast Texas story ever told. Share your wedding and engagement news!
Lost and Found Pets
These are pets that have been lost or found in the KFDM News Channel 6 viewing area.
No Text Zone
Texting While Driving Kills Thousands of People Each Year. Many More are Seriously Injured. You Can Help Make Our Roads a NO TEXT ZONE
Texas Lottery
Texas Lottery
Community Calendar
Check out our Community Calendar!
Baby Talk
Baby Talk with Nicole Murray.
KFDM Channel 6 Top Stories
Business News
Asia stocks fall
BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stock markets fell today as investors waited for the U.S. Federal Reserve to telegraph what it plans to do next with its economic stimulus program.
Consumer News
BC-US--Dow Record-Three Personal Stories, 1st Ld-Writethru,1173
Dow Record: Three tales of ups, downs and changes
AP Photo FX102, FX103
Eds: With BC-US--Dow Record. Adds photos.
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
AP Business Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- When the Dow first crossed 14,000, investors were overjoyed. ...
Entertainment News
"DANCING WITH THE STARS"
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Zendaya or Kellie Pickler will be winning the mirrorball trophy.
Get This
GW-GYM FLOOR
WASHINGTON (AP) -- George Washington University students will soon be walking all over the White House and the Capitol, too.
Science/Tech News
IN THE NEWS: iPHONE RECOVERED AFTER THEFT IN OREGON
MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) -- A smartphone, plus a not-so-smart criminal -- equals an arrest in Oregon.

