Board assessing parole for one suspect in Tow homicides; tampering with evidence convictions
Kyler Nathaniel Allen, 22, of San Marcos, was one of two suspects arrested in a 2023 Tow double homicide case which resulted in the deaths of a father and son. Burnet County Jail photo
The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles (TBPP) is reviewing two tampering with evidence convictions given to Kyler Nathaniel Allen, one of two suspects arrested in the 2023 Tow shooting deaths of a father and his son, for the possibility of serving his sentence under parole.
The 22-year-old pleaded guilty to two tampering charges, one which stemmed from the 2023 double homicide, on April 30 after accepting a plea deal. As part of that deal, Allen was given two eight-year sentences to be served concurrently.
Upon reviewing the case, the TBPP will decide whether or not to allow Allen to serve the remainder of his sentence in the community under supervision from a parole officer.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice sent notice to DailyTrib of the TBPP’s review and noted that these case reviews are typically completed within two to six months from the date of notification (May 18), but could take longer.
The notice also stated that those affected by the crime were welcome to submit letters to the TBPP to better inform its decision on granting parole. Letters may be emailed to victim.svc@tdcj.texas.gov or mailed to TDCJ Victim Services Division, and should include the case number (SID# 19666963).
Another condition of Allen’s plea deal permanently opened the door for the court to refile charges against Allen for his suspected role in the 2023 homicides. He was initially charged with two counts of capital murder in that case, but, according to 33rd/424th District Attorney Perry Thomas, those charges were dropped on April 30 based on current evidence.
The second suspect
On March 26, a Llano County jury sentenced Jordan Eric Ostrander, 23, the second of the two suspects, to a total of 145 years in prison for two counts of murder.
The jury assessed a sentence of 75 years for the murder of 14-year-old Evan Wessling, and a sentence of 70 years for the murder of 38-year-old Preston Wessling. These sentences will run concurrently, which means that Ostrander will serve up to 75 years, as both sentences will be served at the same time.
Background
Ostrander and Allen were each charged with capital murder of multiple persons for their alleged involvement in the Jan. 14, 2023, shooting deaths of Wessling and his son, Evan, at a home on Airport Road in Tow.
Llano County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call at 4:49 a.m. on Jan. 14 about multiple gunshot victims at a home on Airport Road in Tow. The father and son were found lying in the driveway with gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene.
Ostrander and Allen were arrested by Texas Rangers, Texas Department of Public Safety troopers, and Guadalupe County sheriff’s deputies two days later and were held in multiple county jails without bond while awaiting trial.