SAN ANGELO, TX — The man charged with murdering two Concho County Sheriff's Deputies has been booked back into the Tom Green County Jail.
Jeffrey Nicholas, 33, of Eden was arrested by the Concho County Sheriff’s Office for capital murder of a peace officer and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Nicholas was the individual accused of the shooting deaths of deputies Stephen Jones and Samuel Leonard while also injuring an Eden city employee in May 2021.
According to court documents, the shooting occurred around 8:40 p.m. in the 100 block of Bryan Street when Jones and Leonard responded to a report of loose dogs.
While investigating, deputies encountered Nicholas and asked about the location of the dogs. Nicholas refused to cooperate and ordered the deputies off his property and allegedly threatened to shoot them if they did not leave. A physical altercation ensued and deputies attempted to deploy a taser in an effort to subdue Nicholas. Authorities say that Nicholas then produced a semi-automatic handgun and killed both deputies.
Nicholas also fired toward City of Eden employees who were on scene. One employee was struck in the stomach after a bullet penetrated a city vehicle. He was transported to Shannon Medical Center where he underwent surgery and was stabilized.
Witnesses reported hearing between 9 and 10 gunshots. They also told investigators that Nicholas had been yelling about his constitutional rights.
Nicholas was taken into custody shortly after the shooting by Concho County Sheriff’s Office without further incident.
The competency determination followed an unusual legal process. Experts reached conflicting conclusions, and the state’s evaluation found Nicholas competent. Nonetheless, Nicholas was found incompetent to stand trial by a jury.
It is unclear why Nicholas is back in Tom Green County Jail. This story will be updated when more information becomes available.
Read San Angelo LIVE’s coverage below:
- Capital Murder: What Really Went Down in Eden, Texas
- Mental Competency Trial Underway For Man Accused of Killing Two Concho County Deputies
- Jury Finds Jeffrey Nicholas Incompetent to Stand Trial in Deputies' Death
- Certification Blunder Detrails San Angelo Capital Murder Case
- Suspect in Deputy Double Murder Released from Tom Green County Jail
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