Turner trial postponed until next year
San Jacinto Newstimes , October 2007

COLDSPRING – The trial of Jason Lewis Turner, charged with the capital murder of Barney Carnes, has been postponed until after the first of the year, according to San Jacinto County Criminal District Attorney Bill Burnett.
The case had been set for trial in San Jacinto County on Oct. 22.
“We are waiting on a competency evaluation of Turner requested by his defense counsel; therefore, the trial had to be rescheduled,” Burnett said this week.
A competency evaluation will determine whether or not Turner is competent to stand trial for the murder of his acquaintance Barney Carnes.
In a video confession taken by Texas Ranger Kenny Ray, Turner reportedly admitted to shooting and killing Carnes on the evening of March 8, 2007 at Carnes’ home off FM 1725 in San Jacinto County.
Turner allegedly went to Carnes’ house to steal his guns and shot Carnes with a gun that he had stolen during a previous burglary.
After fleeing the scene in a stolen vehicle, Turner was arrested in Tyler the next day. He reportedly was headed to a nearby nursing home to say goodbye to his father. The confession came shortly after his arrest.
Burnett said in capital murder cases now the punishment is life without the chance of parole or the death penalty.
“Either way, Turner’s punishment will be harsh,” Burnett said.
“I’d never be comfortable with him (Turner) being in the free world,” he added.
Turner’s defense counsel, Steve Taylor, is also the defense counsel for Richard Winfrey, Sr., who along with his son and daughter is charged with the capital murder of Murray Burr. That case is set for Nov. 26.