By: Jessica Shorten
Yesterday evening, James Freeman was executed via lethal injection for the murder of Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst. The murder took place 9 years ago, in 2007, after a high-speed chase ended in a brutal shoot out between Freeman and the police, which unfortunately ended with the death of Justin Hurst on his 34th birthday.
The shoot out took place at a cemetery after police immobilized Freeman’s truck, after which, he stepped out and began to fire, using a .357 caliber handgun, and then switching to an AK-47 assault rifle. Although Freeman was shot four times, none of his wounds were fatal. The same could not be said for Hurst, who suffered fatal gun wounds which he died from the next morning. The ordeal started with Freeman being caught illegally hunting at night, after trying to evade the police and engaging in the shootout, he was taken into custody.
Justin Hurst, a Conroe native, graduated from Conroe High School and went on to Texas A&M, then he became an officer of the Texas Parks and Wildlife for 12 years, of which, he had only been a Game Warden for five. Hurst was called as backup in the chase that ended in the most horrible way possible. Hurst was described as being very passionate about his job and family. His wife, Amanda Hurst, said that he was “an incredible, incredible man.” And that “he meant a lot to a lot of people.” He also left behind Kyle, his son, who was only 4 months-old at the time. It only made it worse that it was his 34th birthday.
James Freeman of Lissie, Wharton County, had been reportedly drinking earlier that night when he decided to go hunting. Stanley Schneider, his trial lawyer, said that Freeman suffered from “severe depression,” which led to elevated alcohol use, causing him to attempt “suicide by cop.” The grand jury still sentenced Freeman to death, which was carried out yesterday evening. Freeman is the second man executed in Texas this year.
Over 100 Game Wardens showed up Wednesday afternoon to mourn Hurst’s unfortunate end, and to witness the death sentence be carried out. A small group of protesters stayed outside, arguing for the death penalty to be abolished, saying that Freeman was mentally ill, and should not have been executed. Colonel Craig Hunter, of the Texas Parks and Wildlife division said that “Game Warden Hurst was the consummate of professional, and we will always remember him as the selfless servant, who gave the ultimate sacrifice in line of duty to protect the natural resources of our beloved state.”
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