Town Bluff Man Convicted of Murder
The State of Texas vs Cody Allen Knight 14,544
The office of Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin
On Wednesday, January 15, Cody Allen Knight of Town Bluff, was convicted of murder by a Tyler County jury. Knight was the sentenced to 45 years in prison. District Judge Delinda Gibbs-Walker presided over the case.
According to the media release, Tyler County District Attorney, Lucas Babin, presented evidence that on the evening of April 18, 2024, a distraught woman called 911 to report a shooting in the Lake Hyatt community, South of Warren. She stated a man was in her yard, bleeding and unresponsive. Tyler County Sheriff's deputies James "Bubba" Cloyd, Andrew Knight, and Cory LeBlanc arrived at the scene to find 35-year-old Ernest Williams III collapsed beside his vehicle, bleeding from a gunshot wound to the head. Williams was transported to a hospital in Houston where he tragically passed away.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that on the night of April 18, 2024, Cody Knight went to Lake Hyatt to visit his ex-girlfriend and the child they share together. When an argument ensued, Knight left the area but returned later that evening when he learned that Williams was visiting his ex- girlfriend. Knight parked his vehicle and waited outside the residence. When Williams exited the residence to leave, Knight shot Williams in the head with a small caliber firearm, then fled the scene. Neighbors testified they heard a single gunshot, followed by a vehicle speeding off. Shortly after the shooting, Knight called a friend and confessed to the crime but stated he "covered his tracks". Investigators obtained geolocation data for Knight's cell phone, as well as security camera footage from local businesses. This information confirmed that Knight lied to police regarding his whereabouts near the time of the shooting. Investigators also located two photos on Knight's cell phone showing Williams' vehicle parked in the ex-girlfriend's yard. Knight took the photos at 11:17pm, just moments before the shooting. Additionally, 22 caliber bullets were discovered in Knight's vehicle later that evening.
The courtroom was filled with the family of Ernest Williams, as well as several family members of Cody Knight.
District Attorney Lucas Babin said of the outcome, "Two families have been devasted by the actions of Cody Knight. While we can't bring Mr. Williams back, I am thankful that justice was served, and I'm thankful to the jurors for their attentiveness to the facts. I'd like to thank Sheriff Bryan Weatherford, DA Investigator Donald Calhoon, First Asst. DA Pat "Hawk" Hardy, Asst. prosecutor Brooke Montalbano, Felony Coordinator Paula Nash, and the numerous law enforcement officers who worked on this case. Without their efforts, this would not have been possible."
