A Travis County jury found Shane James competent to stand trial in connection with a December 2023 shooting spree across Austin and San Antonio. The jury deliberated for 17 minutes. Jury selection for his capital murder trial begins Tuesday, with trial set to begin Thursday.
David KwokProfessor of law at the University of Houston
The facts
James faces capital murder and aggravated assault charges from shootings on Dec. 4-5, 2023.2
Six people were killed and three others injured in the shooting spree.2
Defense psychologist testified James hears voices and experiences delusions.2
State psychologist testified James' hallucinations are manageable and have improved.2
A judge found James incompetent to stand trial in November 2024.2
A judge ruled James competent to stand trial in July 2025.2
Jury selection scheduled to begin Tuesday at 9 a.m., trial set for Thursday.2
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Defense psychologist McClendon James understands charges and potential punishments but has delayed thinking and impaired judgment.2
David Kwok, University of Houston law professor Most Texans are presumed competent; evidence must show by preponderance it is more likely than not someone is incompetent.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Central Texas shooting spree: The trial of Shane James
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
Former Burnet County Judge James Oakley filed a federal lawsuit against former district attorney Wiley "Sonny" McAfee and current Sheriff Calvin Boyd, alleging malicious prosecution. Oakley was indicted on four counts in March 2023 related to holding multiple offices, misuse of a county vehicle, tampering with evidence, and official oppression. Three charges were dismissed and he was acquitted on one at trial in August 2023.
$over $200,000 for lawyer bills
James Oakley, former Burnet County judge, filing lawsuit; Wiley 'Sonny' McAfee, former Burnet County district attorney, defendant in lawsuit; Calvin Boyd, current Burnet County Sheriff, defendant in lawsuit and 1 more
Jose David Carvajal Jr., 54, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for sharing child pornography on a social media app. U.S. District Judge Jason Pulliam also ordered lifetime supervision, $35,000 restitution to seven victims, and $5,000 under the Amy, Vicky and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act.
$$35,000 for restitution to victims
Jose David Carvajal Jr., defendant; Jason Pulliam, U.S. District Judge; Justin Simmons, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Texas
The U.S. Supreme Court denied an emergency appeal from three cities and an immigrant advocacy group seeking to block an agreement between Texas and the Trump administration. The deal ends administrative closure, a practice allowing immigration judges to temporarily pause deportation cases.
U.S. Supreme Court, denied emergency appeal; Texas, filed lawsuit and reached agreement with DOJ; Department of Justice, agreed to end administrative closure practice and 5 more
Hemp industry representatives filed a lawsuit challenging Texas' ban on smokable hemp-derived THC products. The plaintiffs claim state health officials exceeded their authority in establishing the rules and imposing higher licensing fees, and argue only state lawmakers had authority to create them.
Texas Hemp Constitutional Alliance, plaintiff in lawsuit; Green Nation, hemp business plaintiff in lawsuit; Stephanie Muth, executive director of Texas Health and Human Services, named as defendant and 1 more
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that immigrants facing deportation are not entitled to bond hearings to determine if they pose a flight risk or danger. The full court reversed a lower court decision that had granted three undocumented immigrants bond hearing rights during removal proceedings.
U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, Made the ruling; Judge Cory T. Wilson, Wrote the majority opinion; Judge Leslie H. Southwick, Led the dissent and 6 more
John Stuart Robison, 63, of Austin was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for defrauding an investor of $1 million intended for the University of Austin. He was convicted in July on wire fraud and money laundering charges.
$$1 million for restitution ordered
John Stuart Robison, defendant convicted of wire fraud and money laundering; U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, judge who imposed sentence; Justin R. Simmons, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas
Jury selection began in the capital murder trial of Shane James, accused of killing his parents in Kirby on Dec. 4, 2023, and four others in Austin the following day. James' defense plans to argue not guilty by reason of insanity.
Shane James, Defendant, accused of killing six people and injuring three others; Phyllis James, Victim, Shane James' mother; Shane James Sr., Victim, Shane James' father and 5 more
A securities fraud class action lawsuit was filed against AST SpaceMobile, Inc. in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. The complaint alleges the company made false statements and failed to disclose material facts about its business, capital position, competitive durability, and user adoption rates.
Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, Securities litigation law firm; AST SpaceMobile, Inc., Defendant company