Posted 10:44 pm Thursday, January 10, 2013
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Affidavit: Ex-jailer beat innocent man
A former Smith County jailer, who is facing charges stemming from a chase, believed the suspected crook had stolen a ladder from his residence, according to an arrest affidavit obtained this week.
The chase on Dec. 25 resulted in a vehicle accident, the man suspected of theft being beaten and the jailer firing shots, the affidavit states.
Texas Ranger Brent Davis states in his affidavit that the man who was beaten was an innocent victim, and the ladder in his vehicle did not belong to the jailer's family.
The affidavit details how Brandon Jamar Owens told authorities he chased a suspected thief in his Ford pickup and crashed into the man's SUV on Texas Highway 64 and Eisenhower Drive.
"Owens and his brother confronted (the suspect) with weapons, one being a shotgun and the other a semi-automatic pistol. Owens assaulted (the man) by striking him in the neck and back area with said semi-automatic pistol in his hand," the affidavit states.
Davis then stated Owens fired two shots from his .40-caliber handgun.
Davis added that the man, who was believed to be a suspect, fled the area in his vehicle due to the shooting.
"During the investigation it was learned the ladder supposedly stolen from the Owens residence was not in fact stolen from that location and did not belong to the Owens family," Davis said.
Owens was arrested last week and charged with aggravated assault and deadly conduct. He has since resigned his position at the jail.
