The Polk County Criminal District Attorney’s Office secured two convictions following two trials last week.
Two juries were selected Sept. 23 for the trials of Kevin Ray Kimbro and Shane Melvin Meilike.
In the State of Texas versus Kevin Ray Kimbro, testimony began Sept. 23 with witnesses testifying that Kimbro took a Bobcat Skid-Steer Loader from the owner’s property without permission while the owner was away. The trial concluded Sept. 24 with the jury finding Kimbro guilty of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, a state jail felony.
In the State of Texas versus Shane Melvin Meilike, testimony began Sept. 25 with multiple witnesses testifying that around May 11, 2023, Meilike and other individuals broke into their neighbor’s home and stole several items, including an AC unit, water heater and several pieces of furniture.
Although the co-defendants’ cases are still pending, Meilike’s trial concluded Sept. 25 with a jury finding him guilty of burglary of a habitation, a second-degree felony. He was previously convicted of burglary of a habitation in June 2015 in Harris County.
Punishment for both Kimbro and Meilike will be assessed by 411th District Judge John E. Wells III on Nov. 13. When an individual goes to trial, he has the right to elect whether the jury or judge assesses punishment. Both Kimbro and Meilike chose to have the judge assess their punishment.
“The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Livingston Police Department assisted in providing the evidence and support necessary for each case in order to bring justice to the victims and ensure the safety of the people of Polk County,” Polk County Criminal District Attorney Shelly Sitton said.
“I would like to thank all the citizens of Polk County who answered their summons for jury duty on Sept 23. I’d particularly like to thank the members of both jury panels for their diligence in listening to the evidence, following the law and rendering a verdict. Justice was served twice this week,” Sitton said.
