One of two Commerce brothers indicted on tampering charges for allegedly trying to influence a witness in a drug case pleaded guilty Monday.
The second brother, a convicted murderer, remains on the run.
Cedric Lee Pannell, 47, and Norman Jerome Pannell, 42, were each indicted in September by the Hunt County grand jury on one count of tampering with a witness. The pair were alleged of having intended to influence a prospective witness in a criminal felony trial from February 2006 to withhold testimony or information.
Monday, Norman Pannell pleaded guilty to the count. Under a plea bargain arrangement, Pannell was placed on three years of deferred adjudication probation and was fined $500.
Deferred adjudication carries no finding of guilt, although those defendants who are found to have violated a deferred probation are subject to being sentenced to the maximum punishment.
Norman Pannell was facing a maximum sentence upon conviction of from 180 days to two years in a state jail and an optional fine of up to $10,000. He has three previous convictions listed on his indictment, two for delivery of a controlled substance and one for burglary.
As of Monday evening, Cedric Pannell still had a warrant out for his arrest. Pannell has been wanted since shortly after his indictment was issued, as he failed to appear for his arraignment on the charge. Cedric Pannell has a 1994 conviction for burglary out of Dallas County and a 1977 conviction for murder from Hunt County.
Local News
Pannell pleas to witness tampering
- Local News
-
- Harvey Martin Classic Events Kick Off Wednesday; Game Saturday
-
Regular Commerce City Council meetings now monthly
The regular meetings of the Commerce City Council are now monthly.
-
Commerce Communicators become Toastmasters Club
Commerce Communicators has completed the chartering process to become a full-fledged, acknowledged Toastmasters Club.
-
Debit card abuse indictments issued
A local woman has received five separate indictments for allegedly using debit cards without permission.
-
Celebrating 25 years
Downtown Commerce will become a paradise for food lovers and discriminating shoppers Sept. 25, during the 25th annual Bois d’Arc Bash.
- 10:30 a.m. Monday- HMHD Board to discuss radiology services
-
Friday Night Central to cover local teams
The Commerce Journal is launching a new Web site for high school football coverage.
-
Friday morning fire destroys Commerce residence
Department and other area volunteer fire departments were called to the scene of a fire which destroyed a house Friday morning.
-
Campbell ISD calls for $5 million bond election
The board of trustees of the Campbell Independent School District has called for an election in November to decide the fate of a $5 million bond package.
-
Commerce ISD names four to Hall of Honor
A former state champion coach, a pioneering philanthropist, a nationally renown MIT graduate and a tireless community volunteer have been selected as the first inductees into the Commerce Independent School District Hall of Honor.
- More Local News Headlines
