Case Background On July 4th, 2015 in Brownfield, TX, the defendant was pulled over by police and charged with murder of Christavian Jerrod Baker. However, police failed to properly interrogate the defendant and all rights were not read. Once arrested, Fred Stangl worked with the defendant to suppress statements to the police. The Terry County…
In December of 1967, a gruesome murder occurred in the Texas Tech Science Building. The victim was a university custodian. The prime suspect? A graduate student, Benjamin Lach. The motive? Lach was accused of being confronted by the custodian in an effort to steal test answers. The charge? "Murder with Malice", which was a capital…
On December 13, Chuck Lanehart successfully negotiated a pretrial diversion in an assault domestic violence case. A conviction would mean the client would never be allowed to lawfully possess a weapon. A conviction would also mean the client would be ineligible to maintain primary custody of children. Instead, after successfully completing six months of good…
Today, Chuck Lanehart negotiated a plea deal in a second-degree felony burglary of a habitation case that was scheduled for jury trial. The client was facing a possible 20-year prison sentence. Instead, the prosecutor accepted Chuck’s counter-offer for a one-year deferred probation on a misdemeanor criminal trespass plea. The client will be eligible for an…
Chuck Lanehart convinced the prosecutor in a small South Plains county to dismiss assault, domestic violence and terrorist threat charges against his client, a 61-year-old rancher. Chuck argued that the evidence was insufficient to sustain convictions, and the prosecutor did not want to proceed to trial.
Attorney Chuck Lanehart successfully argued for the minimum sentence of one year probation in a federal fraud case. His client was a 28-year-old mother of two who could have been sentenced for years in federal penitentiary. Due to Chuck's hard work on her behalf, she can continue to raise her family.
Chuck Lanehart successfully negotiated a pretrial diversion for a young college-age girl who was accused of drug possession of THC, a second-degree felony. She was facing a possible 20-year prison sentence. Chuck made effective use of advocacy skills, mitigation and other character evidence. Chuck's client will not be charged or indicted for a crime, and…
Attorney Chuck Lanehart uncovers the unknown history of Texas Tech's first mascot. Below is a preview of his newest Caprock Chronicle. The story of Texas Tech’s first mascot is familiar. Saddle Tramp Arch Lamb dreamed up the idea in 1936. That fall, George Tate—wearing a scarlet satin cape—led the Matadors onto the football field riding…
Attorney Chuck Lanehart writes on the first courthouse serving Lubbock county and the developing community. Built in 1891, the courthouse first also functioned as a dance hall, park, concert venue and church. For 300 permanent residents of Lubbock, the building offered shelter and a gathering place. Learn more about the first criminal trials and notable…
In the July/August edition of Voice for the Defense, Chuck Lanehart's feature story on Tornillo explores an immigration camp near El Paso, TX. Tornillo is notable as a center for deported children, as part of the government's family separation policy. The story follows the motivations of Frank Chelly, a local public defender that read the…
