By Tiffany M. Alfred
Assistant Criminal District Attorney
Galveston County District Attorney's Office
April 29, 2016
GALVESTON -- Today, Donald Norman III, 30, was sentenced to 40 years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the felony offense of Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle.
On Monday, April 25, 2016, trial began in the 405th District Court. During trial, the State presented witness testimony and video evidence that on August 26, 2015 Norman refused to stop when a League City Police Officer initiated a traffic stop. Testimony recounted for the jury how a patrol officer, after observing Norman’s vehicle, ran the vehicle’s license plate number and received information the vehicle had been reported stolen in Houston. The officer continued to follow Norman and requested additional patrol units to their location. Once the additional units arrived and moved into a support position, a traffic stop was initiated on Norman’s vehicle on the I-45 southbound service road, just south of W. League City Parkway.
Norman continued traveling south, disregarding the officers overhead emergency lights, taking the W. FM 646 exit. Norman then traveled east on W. FM 646, driving erratically and recklessly. Norman turned onto Gill Road and then attempted to turn east onto Pine Oak Drive where his vehicle slid off the roadway and crashed into a ditch. During the pursuit, officers said Norman reached speeds greater than 100 miles per hour.
Unable to exit through the driver side door, Norman had to climb out through the passenger door and then attempted to flee on foot. Norman was apprehended by police K-9 dog and then actively resisted, struggling with both the police dog and officers, before being placed in handcuffs. Norman’s passenger remained in the vehicle and was also taken into custody.
During the subsequent search of the vehicle Norman was driving, officers found marijuana, cocaine, and various drug paraphernalia. Officers also recovered a firearm that had been reported stolen in Galveston.
The jury heard closing arguments Wednesday morning, returning just before lunchtime with a guilty verdict. Norman faced a punishment range of 25 to 99 years, or Life, in prison because the State’s indictment alleged two prior felony convictions.
During punishment the State submitted prior judgments showing Norman to have a total of six prior felony convictions and seven misdemeanor convictions. The State also introduced evidence concerning a pending felony case for tampering with physical evidence that Norman was charged with in May 2015. The State asked the jury to find both the enhancements true and give a sentence of at least 40 years based on both Norman’s criminal history and his actions on August 26, 2015.
The jury returned Thursday morning with a verdict assessing Norman’s punishment at 40 years. Norman will not be eligible for parole until at least one-fourth, or 10 years, of his sentence has been served.
Norman was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Shawhan and Richard Hayes, II, in the 405th District Court, with Judge Michelle Slaughter presiding. The investigation was conducted by the League City Police Department.
EDITOR’S NOTE: At first glance, that 40 year sentence for leading the cops on a chase seemed awfully harsh to me. But then I read about the asshole’s six prior felony convictions. Now, considering that he can be released in 10 years, 40 years in prison does not seem long enough.
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