Man pleads guilty to capital murder

SONORA A man accused of fatally shooting a Fort Stockton resident during a burglary of the man’s home in October 2008 was sentenced Monday to life in prison.

David Michael Meyers, 32, pleaded guilty Monday morning in Sonora to two counts of capital murder in connection with the death of 25-year-old Drew Aaron Slater, a spokeswoman for the 112th District Attorney said.

Judge Pedro Gomez Jr. received the plea and sentenced Meyers to life without parole prior to jury selection, which was scheduled to begin Monday.

The state was represented by 112th District Attorney Laurie English and Assistant District Attorney Michael Dobbins.

English said the state waived the death penalty because of the defendant’s extensive psychological history. English said it was inappropriate to discuss particulars of that psychological history, however.

Meyers was represented by San Angelo attorneys Gonzalo Rios and Stephanie Goodman, who did not return calls Monday.

English praised Fort Stockton police officers, the city of Pecos criminal investigators and Texas Rangers for their work gathering evidence in the case.

English said Slater’s family members were present for the guilty plea and were satisfied by it. Attempts to reach Slater’s family were unsuccessful.