A Jackson County jury found a Vanderbilt man guilty of three counts of Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer last week, and handed him three concurrent 99-year sentences in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Martin Rene Lugo, Jr. was arrested in December of 2023 for firing a rifle at James Baker, Dakota Smith, and Stephen Lang, all of whom were on duty with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at the time. Lugo was shot one time in the return fire and taken by medical helicopter to a Houston Hospital.
During the three days of testimony, Assistant District Attorney Stephen Tyler pointed out to jurors that despite having recently been fired upon, the deputies, as well as Edna Police Officer Lee Jordan, immediately provided lifesaving care for Lugo.
Smith, Lang, and Baker all testified, and body camera footage was played in the courtroom showing their reactions to the gunfire, and the first aid provided to Lugo. The State also called forensic experts, one of whom testified identifying a substance found at the scene as meth.
Defense attorney Kelsey Downing called no witnesses during the guilt/innocence phase of the trial, and only one during the punishment phase - Lugo’s sister, April Dugan, who testified that when he was sober, Lugo was a compassionate, loving person.
The jury found Lugo guilty on Wednesday, June 11 and sentenced him on June 12 After hearing his sentence, Lugo was remanded to the custody of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office where he will wait to be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division.
