If you are facing murder charges in Denton County, your freedom—and your future—are on the line. These are among the most serious accusations under Texas law, carrying the possibility of life in prison. Because the burden or proof rests entirely on the prosecution, a seasoned Denton County homicide lawyer must rigorously challenge the evidence, witnesses, and legal theories at every turn.
Varghese Summersett has defended clients against homicide charges throughout North Texas for over a decade. Our team includes Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists and former chief prosecutors who have collectively handled dozens of homicide cases. We understand how the State investigates and prosecutes these cases, and we use that insight to build strategic, trial-ready defenses that expose weaknesses in the prosecution’s case and protect our clients at every stage.
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What Charges Are We Talking About?
Homicide cases in Denton County typically fall into several categories. Murder is the most serious, followed by manslaughter, intoxication manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide. Each charge requires different elements of proof and carries different penalties. The prosecution might also pursue capital murder charges in cases involving specific aggravating factors like murdering a peace officer, murdering multiple people, or murdering someone during the commission of another felony.
People often want to know whether they’ll face bond and what happens during the investigation. They worry about whether they should speak with detectives, what evidence the State has, and whether the charge can be reduced or dismissed. These concerns are valid. The decisions you make in the hours and days after an arrest can determine the outcome of your case.
What Does Texas Law Say About Murder?
Under Texas Penal Code § 19.02, a person commits murder if they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of an individual, or if they intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes someone’s death. The statute also includes a third scenario: causing death while committing or attempting to commit a felony other than manslaughter.
The State must prove the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The defendant caused the death of another person
- The defendant acted intentionally or knowingly, or intended to cause serious bodily injury while committing an act clearly dangerous to human life
- The death occurred as a result of the defendant’s conduct
The burden of proof rests entirely on the prosecution. You do not have to prove your innocence. The State must convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that each element exists. If they cannot meet this standard on even one element, the jury must find you not guilty.
What Are the Penalties for Homicide in Denton County?
Murder is a first-degree felony punishable by:
- 5 to 99 years or life in prison
- Fine up to $10,000
Capital murder carries even harsher consequences:
- Life in prison without parole, or
- Death penalty (in certain circumstances)
Manslaughter under Texas Penal Code § 19.04 is a second-degree felony:
- 2 to 20 years in prison
- Fine up to $10,000
Criminally negligent homicide under Texas Penal Code § 19.05 is a state jail felony:
- 180 days to 2 years in state jail
- Fine up to $10,000
These penalties represent the maximum possible punishment. The actual sentence depends on the specific facts of the case, your criminal history, and the strength of the defense. In some cases, we’ve secured significant reductions in charges that resulted in far less prison time than the State originally sought.
What Will Bond Be for a Homicide Charge in Denton County?
Based on an analysis Varghese Summersett completed of over 12,937 bonds set in Denton County in 2025, bond amounts for homicide charges are among the highest in the criminal justice system.
Typical Bond Amounts for Homicide Charges in Denton County
| Charge | Number of Cases | Average Bond | Most Common Bond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murder (19.02(c)) | 20 | $465,500 | $500,000 |
| Manslaughter (19.04(b)) | 2 | $105,000 | $10,000 |
Bond amounts vary significantly based on the specific circumstances of your case, your criminal history, and whether the court views you as a flight risk or danger to the community. In murder cases, bonds typically range from $100,000 to well over $500,000. We work aggressively to secure bond reductions when possible, presenting evidence to the court that you do not pose the risks the State claims.
How Can You Defend Against Homicide Charges?
Effective homicide defense requires challenging every element the State must prove. Common defense strategies include:
Self-defense or defense of others: Texas law recognizes your right to use deadly force when you reasonably believe it’s necessary to protect yourself or another person from imminent deadly force or serious bodily injury. The State cannot prove murder if you acted in lawful self-defense.
Lack of intent or knowledge: Murder requires proof that you intentionally or knowingly caused death. If the evidence shows the death was accidental or that you lacked the required mental state, the prosecution cannot meet its burden. This often applies when deaths result from reckless conduct rather than intentional acts.
Mistaken identity: Eyewitness testimony is notoriously unreliable, especially in chaotic or violent situations. We examine witness statements for inconsistencies, investigate alibi evidence, and challenge identifications that may be based on faulty memory or suggestion.
Insufficient evidence of causation: The State must prove your conduct caused the victim’s death. Medical evidence, autopsy reports, and expert testimony can raise doubt about whether your actions actually caused the death or whether other factors intervened.
Sudden passion: Under Texas Penal Code § 19.02(d), murder can be reduced to a second-degree felony if you prove by a preponderance of the evidence that you caused the death under the immediate influence of sudden passion arising from adequate cause. This defense acknowledges the killing but argues the circumstances warrant reduced punishment.
Challenging forensic evidence: Crime scene analysis, ballistics, DNA, and other forensic evidence form the backbone of many homicide prosecutions. These analyses are not infallible. We retain independent experts to review the State’s forensic work and identify errors, contamination, or misinterpretation of results.
What Happens in a Denton County Homicide Case?
Homicide cases follow a specific path through the criminal justice system:
Investigation and arrest: Law enforcement investigates the death, collects evidence, interviews witnesses, and identifies suspects. If they believe they have probable cause, they’ll arrest you and bring you before a magistrate for an initial appearance.
Magistrate warning and bond hearing: Within 48 hours of arrest, you appear before a magistrate who informs you of the charges and your rights. The magistrate sets bond or may even deny bond in capital murder cases. This is your first opportunity to request a reasonable bond, and having an attorney at this early stage can make a significant difference.
Grand jury indictment: The prosecutor presents the case to a Denton County grand jury. The grand jury determines whether probable cause exists to believe you committed the offense. If they return an indictment, the case proceeds to district court. If they no-bill the case, charges are dismissed.
Discovery and investigation: Both sides exchange evidence and investigate the case. Your Denton County homicide defense lawyer will review police reports, witness statements, autopsy reports, forensic analyses, and all other evidence. We conduct our own investigation, interview witnesses, retain experts, and identify weaknesses in the State’s case.
Pretrial motions: Your attorney files motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence, challenge the legal sufficiency of the charges, or address other issues that could affect the trial. These motions can result in evidence being excluded or charges being dismissed.
Plea negotiations: Most criminal cases resolve through negotiation rather than trial. Your attorney negotiates with prosecutors to seek dismissal, charge reduction, or favorable plea agreements. In homicide cases, we’ve secured reductions from murder to manslaughter, which dramatically reduces potential punishment.
Trial: If negotiations fail to produce an acceptable resolution, the case proceeds to jury trial. A jury of twelve Denton County residents decides whether the State has proven each element beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one juror has reasonable doubt, you cannot be convicted.
Sentencing: If convicted, sentencing can be determined by the jury or the judge, depending on your choice. The sentencing phase involves presentation of evidence about punishment range and factors that should influence the sentence.
What Should You Do If You’re Under Investigation or Arrested?
The most important thing you can do is remain silent and request an attorney immediately. Police and detectives are trained interrogators who know how to elicit statements that can be used against you, even if those statements are innocent or exculpatory. People often believe they can talk their way out of trouble or that cooperation will lead to leniency. This is almost never true in serious cases.
Do not answer questions about where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, or what happened. Do not try to explain your side of the story. Do not consent to searches of your home, vehicle, or phone. Politely but firmly invoke your right to remain silent and your right to an attorney. Then contact us immediately.
If you’re arrested, the clock starts ticking on bond, investigation, and defense preparation. Early intervention by an experienced Denton County homicide lawyer can prevent missteps that damage your case and can sometimes prevent charges from being filed at all.
Can Homicide Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?
Yes. We have secured favorable outcomes in homicide cases through various strategies. Charges can be dismissed if the evidence doesn’t support the allegations, if constitutional violations occurred during the investigation, or if witnesses recant or prove unreliable. Grand juries sometimes no-bill cases when the evidence is weak or self-defense is clear.
Charge reductions are also possible. Murder can be reduced to manslaughter when the evidence of intent is weak. In one recent case, Varghese Summersett secured a reduction from murder to manslaughter, which resulted in a 10-year sentence rather than possible life in prison for the original charge.
Each case depends on its specific facts, the strength of the evidence, and the skill of your defense attorney. We leave no stone unturned in our investigation and challenge every aspect of the State’s case.
What to Expect From Varghese Summersett
When you hire Varghese Summersett to defend you against homicide charges in Denton County, you get a team that treats your case like it’s our only case. We assign multiple attorneys to serious felony cases, bringing different perspectives and areas of expertise to your defense.
We begin with a thorough review of all evidence and an independent investigation. We interview witnesses the police may have overlooked, retain forensic experts to challenge the State’s scientific evidence, and examine every detail of the police investigation for constitutional violations or investigative errors. We file aggressive pretrial motions to suppress evidence and dismiss charges when appropriate.
Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved in decision-making. You’ll understand your options, the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and the likely outcomes of different strategies. We’re available to answer your questions and address your concerns as they arise.
If your case goes to trial, you’ll have seasoned Denton County homicide lawyers who know how to pick a jury, cross-examine witnesses, present compelling defense evidence, and deliver closing arguments that resonate. Our Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists and attorneys with extensive prosecutorial experience know both sides of the courtroom.
We fight for the best possible outcome in every case, whether that means securing a dismissal, obtaining a charge reduction, winning at trial, or negotiating the most favorable plea agreement available. Call us at (940) 252-2220 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because we know these cases don’t happen on a schedule.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be charged with murder if I didn’t intend to kill anyone?
Yes. Murder doesn’t always require intent to kill. You can be charged with murder if you intended to cause serious bodily injury and committed an act clearly dangerous to human life that resulted in death. The law recognizes different mental states that satisfy the murder statute. However, if you lacked any intent and acted only negligently, you should face a lesser charge like criminally negligent homicide rather than murder.
What’s the difference between murder and manslaughter in Texas?
Murder requires that you intentionally or knowingly caused death, or intended to cause serious bodily injury while committing a dangerous act. Manslaughter requires that you recklessly caused death. The key difference is the mental state. Murder involves intention or knowledge, while manslaughter involves recklessness. Murder is a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life. Manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by 2 to 20 years. Understanding these distinctions is crucial because they affect both the defense strategy and potential punishment.
Will I be denied bond on a murder charge?
Not necessarily. While capital murder cases typically result in bond denial, regular murder charges usually result in high bonds rather than no bond. The court considers factors like your criminal history, ties to the community, flight risk, and danger to others. We work to present evidence that you’re not a flight risk and don’t pose a danger, which can result in lower bond amounts or bond approval when the State seeks denial.
How long does a murder case take in Denton County?
Homicide cases typically take 12 to 24 months or longer from arrest to resolution. The complexity of the case, the amount of evidence, expert analysis requirements, and court docket congestion all affect timing. Some cases resolve more quickly through plea negotiations, while others require extensive investigation and proceed to trial. Your attorney should provide a realistic timeline based on the specific circumstances of your case.
Should I talk to the police if I acted in self-defense?
No. Even if you clearly acted in self-defense, you should not give a statement without an attorney present. Self-defense cases require careful presentation of facts and law. What seems like a simple explanation can be twisted or misunderstood, resulting in charges you could have avoided. Police are not on your side when they’re investigating a death, regardless of how sympathetic they seem. Invoke your right to remain silent and immediately contact an attorney who can properly assert your self-defense claim.
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Don’t Face Homicide Charges Alone
A murder charge puts your entire life on the line. You need attorneys who have defended the most serious cases, who understand the science and law behind homicide prosecutions, and who will fight for you at every stage. Varghese Summersett has the Board Certified specialists, trial experience, and proven track record you need when facing these life-altering charges in Denton County.
Contact us today at (940) 252-2220 for a free consultation. We’re available 24/7 because we know these situations don’t wait for business hours. Let us review your case and explain how we can help you fight these charges.
