Man found not guilty of murder in death of Travis County constable's son

After deliberating for less than two hours, a Travis County jury found Stacey Easley, 52, not guilty of murder in the shooting death of a Travis County constable's son.

Johnny Edmondson, 29, was shot and killed at the North Austin apartment of his girlfriend, Heather Locke, on April 18. Locke, who had previously dated Easley, told police investigators that she witnessed Easley shoot Edmondson in the face and had fled the scene because she feared for her life. During opening arguments, prosecutors argued that Easley had killed Edmondson out of jealousy.

Testimony in the trial began Tuesday and lasted two days. Closing arguments were presented Thursday morning.

Edmondson was the son of Travis County Precinct 1 Constable Tonya Nixon, the first Black woman elected as a constable in the county. Speaking to the American-Statesman after the verdict, Nixon said her son was a troubled person who battled substance use, but had an "infectious smile" and a "very high spirit."

Edmondson was released from jail shortly before his death and had been hoping to become more involved in his children's lives, Nixon said.

Nixon told that the Statesman she draws strength from her faith and hopes to begin healing from the loss of her son now that the trial is over.

She said that prosecutors "did great with what they had to work with."

"I can't dwell on it, because there's nothing I can do to change it," Nixon said. "So you just get what was given and you learn to cope with that."

Leslie Booker, Easley's defense attorney, had argued in her closing argument that the prosecution was based entirely on Locke's "false accusation" against Easley. She cast doubt on the veracity of Locke's statements, describing her as an "addict with an ax to grind."

"They have not reached their burden," Booker said of prosecutors. "Their star witness is not to be trusted."

In her closing argument, prosecutor Nancy Nemer acknowledged that there were some "missing pieces" in the state's account of Edmondson's death. But, she told jurors, "We have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that (Easley) is guilty."

Jurors began deliberating shortly before noon Thursday and returned the not-guilty verdict around 2 p.m.

"Stacey Easley has always maintained his innocence," Booker said in a statement after the verdict. "Today he received justice. I am beyond happy for him."

In a statement, Travis County District Attorney José Garza said, “Our hearts continue to break for the family of Johnny Edmondson. We hoped that the outcome of this trial would bring justice and closure to the family.

"We are grateful to our community members who served on the jury for this case, respect their decision, and thank them for their service.”

Staff writer Claire Osborn contributed to this report.