Found Deceased TX - Vanessa Melson, 29, Grapeland, 17 June 2015 *Arrests*

[Everyday Grace]

Witness at Houston County trial: Suspect held victim's shoulders as Mobley beat her
Haley Squiers
Sep 20, 2017 06:25 PM
Editor's note: This story contains graphic and sexual content that may be disturbing to some of our viewers.

CROCKETT, TX (KTRE) - The second day of James “Eddy” Henderson's aggravated kidnapping trial began with witness testimony from the person who had reported Vanessa Melson missing in 2015.

On Aug. 25, a Houston County jury needed only 30 minutes to find Robert David Mobley Jr. Mobley guilty of first-degree aggravated kidnapping in connection to Melson’s death. Mobley’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 28.

http://m.ktre.com/ktre/db_346247/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=AHV7aAlK

 

[Everyday Grace]

James “Eddy” Henderson, 37, of Crockett, was given 99 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for his part in the 2015 death of Vanessa Melson.

The trial that began Sept. 19 entered the punishment phase Monday afternoon. The state and defense rested on early Monday morning. Just 30 minutes after retiring to the jury room, jurors returned with a guilty verdict for first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping.

Jury returned with the 99 year sentence after 45 minutes of deliberation.

Henderson's previous conviction for his part in the 2009 kidnapping and sexual assault of "Penny Jones" was not admissible during the guilt/acquittal portion of the trial.

Previous "bad acts" are admissible during the sentencing phase. No doubt the 2009 offenses and others from his history were a factor in the jury giving him the maximum sentence.

http://www.palestineherald.com/news...cle_23f26e22-a24b-11e7-9eac-6feb98dd1d06.html

Robert Mobley Jr. was also previously found guilty of the offense of aggravated kidnapping. He is set to be sentenced today [Sept 28] by Judge Pam Foster Fletcher.

Mobley also has an extensive criminal history.

http://www.palestineherald.com/news...cle_dd7c547c-a3d4-11e7-818a-eb28e940cd08.html

 

[Everyday Grace]

Robert David Mobley, Jr., 41, of Elkhart, received a life-sentence on Thursday for his role in the death of Vanessa Melson.

A jury found Mobley guilty of first-degree felony aggravated kidnapping in connection with the 2015 death of Melson in August.

The case was tried in the court of the honorable Judge Pam Fletcher in the 349th Judicial District Court in Houston County. Mobley will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

http://www.palestineherald.com/news...cle_4d7d6f7a-a49a-11e7-a240-f3bf7fc456f8.html