District Attorney Micheal Murray reports that on Wednesday, December 9, 2015, the defendant Clarence McDowell, Jr. was convicted of a felony offense and sentenced to 30 years in prison in the 35th District Court.

The defendant was charged with possession of a felony amount of marijuana.  A jury found the defendant guilty as charged and Judge Sam Moss assessed punishment in the case.  Murray and Assistant District Attorney Elisha Bird represented the State at the trial.

The State presented evidence showing that McDowell possessed a dealer amount of marijuana while present in the drug free zone surrounding Brownwood Intermediate School.

During the punishment phase of the trial, Bird presented additional evidence about McDowell’s prior criminal history.  McDowell had seven previous felony convictions and numerous convictions for manufacture or delivery of cocaine and robbery.  Based on McDowell’s criminal history, he was charged as a habitual offender.