Jesse James Clay was sentenced to six years in prison on manslaughter charges stemming from a 2020 incident where he ran over a Cypress man, killing him.
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A former Houston-area garbage truck driver was sentenced to six years in prison just weeks after Jesse James Clay was convicted by a jury on manslaughter charges stemming from a 2020 incident where he ran over a Cypress man, killing him.
In court Tuesday, Clay heard emotional testimony from the son of Joe Wade Warren, the man he’s convicted of killing. One of Clay’s family members and a Harris County fingerprint expert were also called to testify.
Throughout the proceedings, Clay’s defense attorneys maintained their argument that the incident was not intentional.
“This was an accident and it’s always been my belief that we don’t prosecute accidents,” attorney Tucker Graves said after sentencing.
RELATED: Former garbage truck driver found guilty of manslaughter after running over, killing Cypress man in 2020
Prosecutors argued that Clay’s charges should be enhanced due to two prior, unrelated felony charges from the 1990s. The court agreed which upped the range of Clay’s possible sentence from two to 20 years to five years to life.
Before sentencing, Judge Danilo Lacayo acknowledged Clay’s reported health issues and the unique nature of the case.
“I do recognize his illness is severe, but I also recognize this type of homicide is different than we’ve seen in Harris County, Texas, and probably the United States. I’m basing my decision not on emotion, but I’m basing it on the facts, the law, previous decisions, the jury’s decision, and what they signaled to me,” he said.
In April, a previous sentencing hearing for Clay was postponed after he was hospitalized with heart problems. His attorney confirmed Tuesday that Clay is experiencing “numerous medical issues” and is potentially seeking radiation treatments or chemotherapy, though they would not confirm a cancer diagnosis.
Ultimately, Clay was sentenced to six years. He will have to spend three years behind bars before being eligible for parole. Clay’s attorney told KHOU 11 they plan to file a motion for a new trial.
What happened
On April 4, 2020, Joe Wade Warren was outside his home, trying to toss a branch into the back of a passing Texas Pride Disposal garbage truck. He missed and the truck driver kept going.
Home surveillance video captured Warren yelling profanities at the truck driver. A few seconds later, you see the truck backing up as Warren walks toward it. The truck never stops, eventually running Warren over.
“There’s a brief moment in time where they sit there, and then you see the garbage truck drive right off,” the family’s lawyer told KHOU 11 in 2020.
The 65-year-old victim died as a result of his injuries.
The driver of the garbage truck was identified as Clay. He was charged with murder in Warren’s death.
According to Clay’s lawyers, he doesn’t remember anything that happened that day. Warren’s lawyers have long argued that Clay’s actions were intentional.
RELATED: Cypress family receives $10M settlement after garbage truck kills father; Murder trial to start soon
Warren’s family sued Texas Pride Disposal and settled for $10.3 million in 2022.
Credit: Source link
