Justin Roberson, 38, of Burnet, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on a manslaughter conviction. Burnet County Jail photo
On Wednesday, Aug. 5, a Burnet County jury found Justin Roberson, 38, of Burnet, guilty of manslaughter and sentenced him to 40 years in prison. The trial was held in the 424th Judicial District Court, with Judge Evan Stubbs presiding.
Evidence at trial showed that Roberson was driving over a hill into oncoming traffic in a no-passing zone on Texas 71 when he struck Shannan Burnette’s vehicle head-on. Burnette was on her way home to Horseshoe Bay to have dinner with her husband when she was killed.
The jury heard testimony from investigating officers from the Department of Public Safety and the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, along with a medical expert, an eyewitness to the crash, and Burnette’s husband.
During the punishment phase of trial, the jury learned that Roberson had been previously convicted of burglary of a habitation and felony assault of a family member, thereby enhancing his range of punishment. The jury sentenced Roberson to 40 years.
Assistant District Attorneys Alicia Willoughby and Michael Walker prosecuted the case for the District Attorney’s office. A.D.A. Willoughby stated, “My hope is that this sentence sends a message that selfish, reckless acts on our roads will not be tolerated by the community. We all deserve to make it home to our loved ones for dinner.”
District Attorney Perry Thomas stated, “My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting anyone whose intoxicated or reckless driving causes death or injury to our citizens. This verdict demonstrates our commitment to work with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to those who hurt others by their unlawful actions.”
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