JOHN R. ROACH
CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY
COLLIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE
210 S. McDONALD, SUITE 324
McKINNEY, TEXAS 75069
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Leigh Hornsby, Public Information Officer
972-548-4772
publicrelations@co.collin.tx.us
May 21, 2003
Collin County District Attorney Accepts Three Capital Murder Charges
(McKinney, TX) - Three cases of capital murder have been filed with the Collin County District Attorney’s Office against David Elliott Penton, age 46, who is presently incarcerated in Ohio. These cases involve the kidnapping and murders of Christie Lynn Meeks, Christie Diane Proctor and Roxann Hope Reyes. These cases were investigated and prepared by investigators from the Plano, Garland and Mesquite police departments.
On January 19, 1985, Christie Lynn Meeks, age 5, was abducted in Mesquite. Her body was found in Lake Texoma on April 3, 1985.
Christie Diane Proctor, age 10, disappeared from her Dallas neighborhood on February 15, 1986. Her remains were discovered in Plano on April 9, 1988.
The third victim, Roxann Hope Reyes, age 3, was abducted near her Garland home on November 3, 1987. Her remains were discovered in Murphy on May 19, 1988.
Texas law provides that a capital murder case may be prosecuted in any county in which injuries were inflicted, death occurred or the body was found. For that reason, these cases have been filed with the Collin County District Attorney.
The Collin County District Attorney’s Office expects to submit each of these three cases to the Collin County Grand Jury in June. Indictments for capital murder will be sought in each of these three cases. Collin County District Attorney John Roach has designated his First Assistant District Attorney, Gregory Davis, as the lead prosecutor in all three cases. He has instructed Mr. Davis to seek the death penalty against David Elliott Penton in each of these three cases. If the grand jury indicts Mr. Penton, the process of extraditing him from Ohio will begin immediately. The first case is expected to be tried before the end of the year.
The police departments of Garland, Mesquite and Plano are to be commended for their dedication, hard work and coordinated investigation in preparing and presenting these cases for prosecution.
The acceptance and prosecution of these cases will serve as notice to anyone who would abduct and murder our children that we will not forget. We will not forget the killer; we will not forget the crime; and we will not forget the victims.
John Roach
Criminal District Attorney
Collin County, Texas
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