District Court Sets DWI Sentence at Seven Years for Odessa Man

Six beers were missing from a twelve pack of Coors Light DPS Trooper Alan Dykstra discovered in Jimmy Keith Turnbow’s Ford F-350 on Feb. 29, 2012, when he pulled the man over for speeding 92 in a posted 70 mph zone on U.S. 87. Also in the vehicle was a half-empty 750 ml bottle of Jack, and as Dykstra spoke to Turnbow, 55 of Odessa, he noted slurred speech and the odor of alcohol emitting from his person.

Having admitted to his drinking, Turnbow consented to an intoxication investigation and completed two breathalyzer tests, which returned results of .179 and .169, both more than twice the legal limit. On that night, Turnbow was arrested for DWI and transported to the Tom Green County Jail.

On Sept. 2, Turnbow went before Judge Jones in the 391st District Court, where he plead guilty to driving while intoxicated. The state introduced evidence in the punishment phase of the bench trial that Turnbow had previously served prison time on a prior felony DWI conviction, which enhanced the charge to a third-degree felony, punishable by 2-20 years and an optional $10k fine.

After hearing all the evidence, the court set the punishment at seven years confinement. Because the defense attorney asked for some time, the official sentencing will take place on Sept. 12. Turnbow was jailed Tuesday, however bonded out the same day. His bond was set at $1,500.

The DA's office offered the following comment in a press release Wednesday:

When an individual decides to gamble with the safety and lives of the citizens of Tom Green County by engaging in and continuing to engage in dangerous behavior such as driving while intoxicated it is important to send a message that this behavior will not be tolerated.