Jerry Elders found guilty of capital murder in Johnson County

JOHNSON COUNTY, Texas - Jurors found a man guilty of capital murder after shooting a Burleson police officer, then carjacking and killing a woman.

Jerry Don Elders was on trial in Johnson County for a fatal crime spree in February 2021.

Elders shot Joshua Lott who pulled him over, then later kidnapped and killed 60-year-old Robin Waddell and stole her truck.

"That was the life he wanted to live, doing drugs, living wrecklessly and stealing from people,"

In its opening statement for the trial's punishment phase the state told jurors Elders deserves the death penalty.

"The essence of Jerry Elders, the evidence will show made him unpredictable on the streets and is going to make him a danger in any society he’s in," said prosecutor Christy May.

May pointed out that at the time of the crime spree Burleson police had Elders under investigation for a rash of catalytic converter thefts and he wanted revenge.

"The evidence is going to show that he intended and planned to shoot a cop and he was vocal about this," she said.

Elders defense team deferred an opening statement.

The state's first witnesses included the supervisor of inmates' records, including mug shots and photos of tattoos.

The defense objected to discussion of the tattoos. One featured a drawing of a pig with "f*** the law" written underneath it.

Jurors deliberated for two hours before reaching the guilty verdict.

Elders faces life in prison or the death penalty.

The sentencing here will start at 8:30 Friday morning.