GRIMES COUNTY, Texas — A guilty plea to a murder that took place in 2021 will now see a man sent to prison for 35 years.
According to the Grimes County District Attorney's Office, Leon Burrell Jr., 40, shot Clifton Love, 45, on July 14, 2021 at 520 Laredo Street in Navasota. While police weren't aware Burrell had shot Love at the time they were responding to the call that he was shot, he revealed to Chief Mike Mize, who was one of the first people that made it to the scene of the crime, that the person who had shot him was indeed Burrell.
First responders attempted to get Love to emergency medical care by helicopter, but he later died.
As officials were investigating the shooting, it was revealed that Burrell acted alone in killing Love, and the two had a history of conflicts.
Burrell pled guilty to his Murder charge on Monday, Sept. 9 in front of 12th District Court Judge Todd Blomerth, and was sentenced to 35 years that same day in a plea agreement with the state. Love's family and friends were in the courtroom when Burrell received his sentence.
"There is no place for criminal gun violence in the Grimes County community," said District Attorney Andria Bender in a press release. "Leon Burrell's actions resulted in the senseless loss of life of Clifton Love. Leon Burrell chose to accept responsibility for his crime and we were able to reach a plea agreement to obtain justice for the victim's family."
