LIVE: Trial underway for man charged in connection to 'Texas Killing Field' case

James Elmore Jr. was charged with manslaughter and evidence tampering in connection with two unsolved deaths in 1984 and 1986.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 2:46PM

Day 1 of trial begins for man charged in 'Texas Killing Fields' case

James Elmore Jr. was charged with manslaughter in connection with two deaths that went unsolved for over four decades.

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The trial has begun against James Elmore Jr., who was arrested in connection with 'Texas Killing Fields' case that went unsolved for nearly 40 years.

WARNING: This is a live stream of the trial for James Elmore Jr. Viewer discretion is advised due to the nature of the evidence and testimony.

On Monday, jury selections were completed following a months-long process after Elmore Jr.'s arrest. The jury consists of six men and six women.

Back in March 2026, 61-year-old Elmore Jr. was charged with manslaughter in the 1984 death of Laura Miller and additional evidence tampering in the 1986 death of Audrey Lee Cook. Miller and Cook were two of four women whose bodies were found near the intersection of Calder Road and Ervin in League City, in a remote field, between 1984 and 1991.

The 61-year-old was identified as the second suspect through recent re-examining of the case. He is thought to have worked with another person of interest, Clyde Hedrick. According to the indictment, Elmore allegedly 'prepared a vial of cocaine' for Hedrick in Laura's death.

Hedrick was said to have a lengthy history of violent crime, and reportedly admitted to murdering at least four to five women over the course of his life, according to court records.

Hedrick died back in March 2026, right before a grand jury presentation, officials said.

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Despite the arrest and Elmore's charging, officials said that there are still 'other active leads.'