Road rage suspect to remain in federal custody for postal worker's murder

The man charged with the murder of a postal truck driver in Dallas will remain in federal custody after a Monday court hearing.

Investigators said Donnie Ferrell, 25, confessed to police the night he was arrested for Tony Mosby’s murder. Mosby was driving along Interstate 30 near downtown Dallas when he was shot and killed a week ago.

According to an arrest warrant, the shooting was an act of road rage. Ferrell claimed Mosby made a rude hand gesture towards him and he and his friends drove erratically past the postal truck. Ferrell said he fired the gun at the truck out of anger.

Two of Ferrell’s friends said he texted them to try to persuade them not to say anything about the shooting. But they opted to speak to federal investigators anyway.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Mosby's murder is considered a federal crime because he was on the job.

Ferrell was in federal court Monday as evidence in the case was discussed. Police said once in custody, he told U.S. Marshalls where to find the murder weapon -- in a cereal box.

Judge Rebecca Rutherford ordered Ferrell to remain in custody because of the violent nature of the crime.

If found guilty, Ferrell could get life in prison with no parole or he could face the death penalty. Former U.S. Attorney for North Texas Richard Roper said if prosecutors go for the death penalty, it would involve the highest levels of the Justice Department.

“From the testimony presented at the detention hearing, I think they presented -- so far -- a compelling case,” Roper said.

The next development to watch for is if Ferrell is indicted by a federal grand jury to stand trial for murder of a federal employee. That could happen at any point in the next 30 days.

Mosby was a father of two daughters who had worked for the United States Postal Service in Dallas since 2004. His funeral services are Wednesday.