Gabe McDonald pleaded guilty on Tuesday to two counts of murder in the 2016 shooting deaths of his adoptive parents, after reaching a deal with prosecutors that offered a maximum 50-year prison term, avoiding a capital murder conviction that would have carried a life sentence.
244th District Court Judge James Rush accepted prosecutors’ recommendation in sentencing McDonald to two 50-year sentences, which will run concurrently. McDonald will have to serve at least half that time, or a minimum 25 years.
“Given the facts we were up against, I think it’s the best result we could get,” Defense attorney Justin Low said.
McDonald, 19, was convicted of killing Gregg and Jana McDonald in their bedroom on March 2, 2016, in their Conley Avenue home.
His adoptive sister, 23-year-old Grace McDonald was also charged with capital murder in connection with the slayings. But it was Gabe McDonald who was accused of pulling the trigger.
If convicted of capital murder, Gabe McDonald would have had to spend at least 40 years in prison. He was ineligible for the death penalty or a mandatory life sentence because of his age — 17 — at the time of the slayings.
Grace McDonald awaits trial and faces additional felony charges of criminal conspiracy and prohibited sexual conduct, related to accusations of sex with her adoptive brother. Her trial is scheduled for September.
Gabe McDonald’s plea agreement did not include a commitment to testify against his adoptive sister. Low declined to address whether he would.
In court, Gabe McDonald said little as he answered questions from Rush about his plea.
Family members of the McDonalds, some of them crying during the proceedings, declined to address Gabe McDonald after his guilty plea. But prosecutor Geoff Barr said the family supported the plea agreement.
In a separate trial for Gabe McDonald on Monday, an Ector County jury found him competent, clearing the way for his criminal trial to begin. Defense attorneys Low and Chris Fostel had argued Gabe McDonald suffers from a developmental disorder and learning disabilities and that he required treatment at a state hospital so he could assist his attorneys and understand the potential consequences he faced.
The prosecutors, Assistant Attorneys General Jane Starnes and Barr, suggested McDonald was feigning incompetence or avoiding the “horrible reality” he faces.
Texas attorneys general took over prosecution of the cases against Gabe and Grace McDonald earlier this year following a District Attorney Bobby Bland’s decision to recuse his office in December.
Low said the plea agreement with Gabe McDonald had been on the table for months.
“We weren’t really able to consider it because in our opinion he was incompetent,” Low said. “An incompetent person can’t plead guilty.”
But Low said the Monday trial helped Gabe McDonald understand the case, along with talking with his lawyers that night. Low said he decided to present his client with the offer, which he accepted.
“It was Gabe’s choice,” Low said. “I think he made the proper choice given the circumstances.”
PREVIOUS VERSION: Gabe McDonald pleaded guilty to two counts of murder on Tuesday in the 2016 shooting deaths of his adoptive parents, after reaching a deal with prosecutors that offered a maximum 50-year prison term, while avoiding a capital murder conviction that would have carried a life sentence.
244th District Court Judge James Rush accepted prosecutors’ recommendation in sentencing McDonald to two 50-year sentences, which will run concurrently. He will have to serve at least half that time, or a minimum 25 years. If convicted of capital murder, McDonald would have had to spend at least 40 years in prison.
“Given the facts we were up against, I think it’s the best result we could get,” Defense attorney Justin Low said.
McDonald, 19, was convicted of killing Gregg and Jana McDonald in their bedroom on March 2, 2016, in their Conley Avenue home.
His adoptive sister, 23-year-old Grace McDonald was also charged with capital murder in connection with the slayings. But it was Gabe McDonald who was accused of pulling the trigger.
Grace McDonald awaits trial and faces additional felony charges of criminal conspiracy and prohibited sexual conduct, related to accusations of sex with her adoptive brother. Her trial is scheduled for September.
In a separate trial for Gabe McDonald on Monday, an Ector County jury found him competent, clearing the way for his criminal trial to begin. Defense attorneys Low and Chris Fostel had argued Gabe McDonald suffers from a developmental disorder and learning disabilities and that he required treatment at a state hospital so he could assist his attorneys and understand the potential consequences he faced.
The prosecutors, Assistant Attorneys General Jane Starnes and Geoff Barr, suggested McDonald was feigning incompetence or avoiding the “horrible reality” he faces.
Texas attorneys general took over prosecution of the cases against Gabe and Grace McDonald earlier this year following a District Attorney Bobby Bland’s decision to recuse his office.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
