Man gets 20 years for aggravated assault
File / Mugshot
On Friday, a Lamar County jury convicted Colby Bryant Flowers, 23, of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, according to District Attorney Gary Young.
“The defendant fired several shots at a car occupied by three people after a text message argument,” said Young. “The defendant told one of the victims he was going to take his soul and he should tell his daughter goodbye.” Jurors were presented with part of Flowers’ interview with detectives after the arrest, as well as hearing the victims’ accounts of being shot at by Flowers.
The defendant took the stand in his own defense and claimed that he was trying to defend himself. On cross-examination, Flowers admitted that he had previous felony convictions, including an aggravated robbery. Jurors also saw text messages that Flowers sent offering to kill the District Attorney for $500,000. When questioned, Flowers said he was no longer violent and his assassination offer was only a joke. After deliberating for less than twenty minutes, the jury returned guilty verdicts on all three counts of aggravated assault and on two counts of felon in possession of a firearm.
During the punishment phase, jurors heard testimony about the defendant’s criminal history, including trying to burn a school down as a juvenile and adult prison sentences for burglary of a habitation and aggravated robbery. Flowers was sentenced to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “Law enforcement did a thorough job investigating and following leads in this case,” said Assistant District Attorney Nick Stallings. “Our community should be proud of their work, especially the contributions of Detectives Leigh Foreman and Chris Mayfield in their interview with the defendant, where he ultimately confessed.” Flowers must serve at least half of the aggravated assault sentence before being eligible for parole. Flowers’ verdict is the second sentence for a violent offense returned by a Lamar County jury this week.
“Lamar County is safer today with Colby Flowers off our streets,” said Young. “We appreciate the jury’s hard work in this case.
The case was tried in the 6th District Court before Judge Wes Tidwell. Gary Young and Nick Stallings prosecuted the case on behalf of the State. Flowers was represented by David Turner.