Sheriff: White supremacist group linked to murder
HARDIN COUNTY – The Hardin County sheriff says four people arrested on charges of murdering a man, putting his car in a trunk and setting the vehicle on fire, have admitted to their roles in the crime.
According to Sheriff Ed Cain, the suspects take pride in the crime and the fact they belong to a white supremacist group.
The sheriff says Kenny Don Stanley, 29, of Vidor, confessed to pulling the trigger and killing the 25-year-old victim.
He says three other people have admitted to taking part in the crime: Kristopher Guidry, 26, of Humble, Vickie Fitts, 47, of Hull, and Tanner Bourque, 31, of Bridge City.
Investigators aren’t releasing the name of the victim because they’re trying to positively identify him and notify his relatives.
During a news conference Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Cain revealed the four suspects are members of the Southern White Soldier gang. It’s a spin-off of the Aryan Brotherhood.
The woman, Vickie Fitts, and two of the men, Kristopher Guidry and Tanner Bourque, were brought from the Hardin County Jail to the courthouse Wednesday afternoon, where a judge arraigned them. The suspect who confessed to pulling the trigger, Kenny Stanley, is in the Polk County Jail where he also faces federal charges. He’s awaiting transfer to Hardin County.
The burned car was discovered at about 8 p.m. March 23 near the Hardin/Liberty County line.
A burned body was in the trunk of the 1995 Nissan Maxima.
The sheriff says evidence indicates the 25-year-old victim was shot in the head March 16 at a home in Hull, then placed in the trunk of the car, which was driven to a wooded area and burned.
Investigators haven’t found the murder weapon but have seized another car.
It’s the one the sheriff says the suspects drove away in after they set fire to the Maxima with the victim’s body in the trunk.
Sheriff Cain said the gang is known in the area for stealing and for drug crimes.
Cain said he believes there was some conflict with another gang and the victim was involved in that conflict and got killed over it.
“If gang members or anyone else comes to the county with the mindset to commit a criminal act, then leave, becauase we’re real proud of our crime clearance rate. We cleared this one real quick. We’re very proud of that. We’re gonna find you and put you in jail if you commit a crime in Hardin County.”
The Texas Rangers and the U..S Marshal’s Office are also working the case.
Stanley, the suspect Sheriff Cain says confessed to the murder, remains in the Polk County Jail, and is expected to be taken to the Hardin County Jail at some point in the future.
HARDIN COUNTY – (earlier report) – The Hardin County Sheriff says members of a white supremacist group are linked to the murder of a man who was shot and placed in a car trunk before the vehicle was set on fire.
Sheriff Ed Cain revealed the details during a news conference Wednesday afternoon.
According to the sheriff, members of the Southern White Soldier group are charged with murdering the 25-year-old victim.
6 News anchor Ashley Gaston is covering the story. Watch KFDM News at 6 for more details.
He says one of the suspects, Kenny Don Stanley, 39, of Vidor, admitted to shooting the man. The others charged Monday include: Kristopher Leigh Guidry, 26, of Humble; Tanner Lynn Bourque, 31, of Bridge City; and Vickie Starks Fitts, 47, of Hull.
Deputies responded to a report of a burned car and a burned body in the trunk of the vehicle at about 8 p.m. on March 23. The 2005 Nissan Maxima was found off Liberty County Road 2486 just inside Hardin County, northwest of Votaw.
Investigators say the victim was shot in the head at about midnight on March 16 at a home in Hull. According to the Sheriff’s Office, the victim was placed in the trunk of the Nissan and driven to a wooded area near Votaw and set on fire.
All four suspects are in the Hardin County Jail.
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Supremacists, eh?
Soldiers?
Really?
I’d wager that none of the accused are feeling so supreme right now, with the death penalty/life without parole starring them in the face, if convicted.
Ann
Does anyone find it strange that Ms. Fitts’ son was killed years ago because she would not get out ofthe bed she was in? She was in bed with a black man that she was getting her crack from.
Now she is a member of a white supremacy group? Give me a break! She deserves the death penalty!
It’s good for these no count, low life, scum of the earth, trash!! They stole from me and I hope they rott their asses in jail. That is where they belong. It is about time that they got caught, put in jail, and can’t get out!! Ha Ha…who is laughing now!! ME!!!