Testimony begins in Quinlan-area murder case
By BRAD KELLAR
Herald-Banner Staff
Michael Patrick Bates likely died within seconds after someone placed a shotgun to his chest and opened fire, according to the medical examiner who performed Bates’ autopsy.
Dr. Townsend Parchmen testified Bates’ heart was “pulpified” as a result of the blast.
“This was an utterly fatal injury,” Parchmen said.
Parchmen was among the first prosecution witnesses to testify in the 354th District Court Tuesday during the trial of Cory Joe Locke, who is charged with murder in connection with Bates’ death.
Locke has also been indicted by the Hunt County grand jury on aggravated kidnapping and aggravated robbery charges, involving incidents which authorities claim occurred the same day as the murder. A conviction on any of the indictments and Locke could be facing a maximum punishment of up to life in prison.
Locke has also been indicted in connection with the alleged burglary of Bates’ residence.
He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.
Bates, 43, died as the result of a gunshot wound to the chest. His body was found early on the morning of June 2, 2005 in a residence at 1959 Apache near Quinlan.
Parchmen said the wound was caused by a shotgun firing bird shot and that a “marginal abrasion” was also noticed on Bates’ chest.
“That’s what you get when the muzzle of the shotgun was in contact with the body,” Parchmen said. “Within half an inch, in all likelihood.”
Locke and two other defendants were also alleged to have abducted a male victim the same day as Bates’ death and Locke is also accused of being one of three individuals to have removed several items from Bates’ residence the night of the murder.
The jurors also viewed a video of Locke’s initial interview with Hunt County Sheriff’s Detective Joel Gibson and Texas Ranger Jeff Collins, prior to Locke being formally charged with homicide.
During the interview, Locke repeatedly denies having any connection with Bates’ murder, although he admitted to stealing a pool table, television and water cooler from the home and “trashing the place”. Locke said Bates was asleep at the time and that he stole the items because he was mad at the person he believed owned them.
