Murder

Murder Attorney in Georgetown, TX

Former Prosecutors Defending Williamson County Homicide Cases

A murder charge is among the most serious situations anyone can face in Texas. The consequences range from decades in prison to life without parole or, in capital cases, the death penalty. When this much is at stake, who defends you matters. Winters & Chidester is a criminal defense firm based in Georgetown, serving clients facing murder and homicide charges throughout Williamson County. Our attorneys bring 20 years of combined experience and something most defense firms can’t offer: we’ve stood on the other side of these cases.

James Winters and Veronica Chidester were mock trial partners in law school before trying serious felonies together as prosecutors. That shared history shapes how we work now.

If you or someone you love has been charged with murder in Georgetown, don’t wait. Early legal intervention can affect every stage that follows. Call Winters & Chidester now at (512) 961-4555 for a free consultation in English or Spanish.

Why Prosecutorial Experience Matters in Murder Defense

Building a murder defense requires understanding exactly how the state builds its case. James Winters prosecuted capital murder and major felonies including aggravated robbery and organized criminal activity at the Bell County District Attorney’s Office. Before that, he handled serious felonies at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office across the Juvenile, Family Violence, and White Collar Crime divisions starting in 2017.

Veronica Chidester prosecuted felony cases in the criminal trial court division at the Travis County District Attorney’s Office after serving as chief prosecutor in the misdemeanor and family violence divisions. She also tried federal cases across multiple Texas jurisdictions while at the Texas Attorney General’s Office Law Enforcement Defense Division. Both attorneys teach trial advocacy: James as an adjunct professor in UT Law’s Trial Advocacy Program and at St. Edward’s University; Veronica teaches trial tactics at UT Law each summer.

That background means we know which evidence prosecutors prioritize, how they sequence a case before a jury, and where investigative or procedural gaps become openings for the defense. We apply that knowledge from the moment we take a case.

Murder & Homicide Charges Under Texas Law

Texas Penal Code Chapter 19 defines several homicide offenses, each carrying distinct penalties. Murder charges in Georgetown are filed in Williamson County and handled at the Williamson County Justice Center. The specific charge matters because the penalty range varies significantly:

Murder (Section 19.02): Intentionally or knowingly causing death; intending to cause serious bodily injury and committing an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death; or committing a felony and, in the course of that felony, committing an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death (the felony-murder rule). Murder is a first-degree felony, carrying 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. If committed under sudden passion arising from adequate cause, the offense may be reduced to a second-degree felony with a range of 2 to 20 years.
Capital Murder (Section 19.03): Applies when the victim is a peace officer, a child under 15, or a member of the judiciary; when the killing occurs during certain felonies; when multiple people are killed; or when the killing is for hire. Punishment is life without parole or the death penalty.
Manslaughter (Section 19.04): Recklessly causing the death of another. A second-degree felony.
Criminally Negligent Homicide (Section 19.05): Causing death through criminal negligence. A state jail felony.

How We Approach a Georgetown Murder Case

We handle the full spectrum of criminal homicide cases from manslaughter to capital murder in both state and federal court. Every case gets the same level of preparation, whether it resolves through negotiation or goes to trial. Because James and Veronica tried cases together as prosecutors, they work as a coordinated team rather than independently assigned attorneys reviewing each other’s work.

Defense in a murder case can involve challenging the admissibility of physical or forensic evidence, contesting the legality of a search or seizure, disputing witness credibility, raising affirmative defenses such as self-defense or defense of others, arguing sudden passion to seek a charge reduction, or identifying errors in grand jury proceedings. The prosecution must prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt, and any gap in that proof is an opening we look for from the start.

Speak With a Georgetown Murder Defense Attorney Today

We offer free consultations for individuals facing murder charges in Georgetown and throughout Williamson County. Our team serves clients in English and Spanish. The earlier we can review the facts of your case, the more options may be available.

Contact Winters & Chidester at (512) 961-4555 or reach us through our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

What to Expect in a Georgetown Murder Case

Most murder cases in Texas begin with a law enforcement investigation well before any arrest. During this phase, investigators gather physical evidence, conduct interviews, and may seek search warrants. Engaging defense counsel before charges are formally filed gives your attorney the opportunity to provide context or evidence that may influence whether the grand jury proceeds at all.

A Texas grand jury must return a true bill of indictment for a murder charge to move forward as a felony. After indictment, the case proceeds through arraignment, pretrial hearings, and motions practice. Pretrial motions are a critical phase. They may result in suppression of improperly obtained statements or physical evidence, narrowing what the prosecution is permitted to present at trial.

Capital murder cases carry additional procedural weight. When the state seeks the death penalty, separate eligibility determinations are required, and the trial includes additional phases. This makes early, experienced representation especially important. Winters & Chidester supports clients through every stage, from pre-charge investigation through any subsequent proceedings, in both state and federal court.

Defense Strategies in Texas Murder Cases

The facts of each case determine which defenses apply. We review the complete record before identifying the strongest grounds available. Common legal grounds in Texas homicide defense include:

Self-Defense and Defense of Others: Under Texas Penal Code Section 9.32, deadly force is justified when a person reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to protect against another’s use or attempted use of unlawful deadly force, or to prevent the imminent commission of certain violent felonies.
Sudden Passion: If a killing occurred under sudden passion arising from adequate cause, Texas law allows the offense to be reduced from a first-degree to a second-degree felony, substantially lowering the sentencing range.
Challenging Mental State: Murder requires proof of intentional or knowing conduct. Evidence that undermines the required mental state can defeat the charge or support a reduction to a lesser offense.
Evidence Challenges: Physical evidence, forensic analysis, witness identification, and the admissibility of any confession are each subject to legal challenge. Evidence obtained through an unlawful search or seizure may be suppressed.
Mistaken Identity: When the defendant’s presence at the scene is disputed, eyewitness reliability and physical evidence linking the defendant to the offense become central to the defense.
Felony-Murder Defenses: In cases charged under the felony-murder rule, the defense can challenge whether the underlying felony was actually committed or whether the death was a foreseeable result of that conduct.

Real People. Real Wins.

Review Some of Our Results to See for Yourself What We’ve Worked to Achieve

As Georgetown criminal attorneys, we recognize the importance of what we do. Our goal is to help our clients face brighter futures, all while protecting their constitutional rights to the fullest. We couldn't be more proud of the people we've helped and the lives we've changed.

View All Results

Case dismissed Assault on School Campus
Probation terminated early Extended Adjudication Probation
We represented a client who wanted to terminate their probation early. We gathered compelling evidence on their behalf and were able to have their probation terminated several years before the scheduled end date.
Case Dismissed Sexual Assault of a Child
We represented a client charged with sexual assault of a child. By identifying significant issues in the discovery, we secured a dismissal of the case, preventing prison time and lifetime sex offender registration.
Case Dismissed Assault Family Violence
We represented a client charged with assault family violence. By acting early and securing helpful testimony from the alleged victim at a protective order hearing, we persuaded the prosecution to reject the case.
Case dismissed Tax Violation
We successfully represented a client charged with a tax-related violation, negotiating with the investigating agency and prosecution to secure a dismissal.