Screaming, growling killer created scene in jail while awaiting capital murder trial in death of Arlington pastor, according to video shown to jurors

UPDATE: 2 p.m.

A screaming, growling Steven Lawayne Nelson fought against more than a half-dozen jailers during an incident in mid-July while he was awaiting trial on capital murder, according to a videotape of the jail incident shown to jurors on Thursday.

The video, which ran about 30 minutes, captured Nelson fighting against the guards and alternately screaming, singing, rapping and fighting against restraints. 

He was sprayed with pepper spray and eventually strapped into a restraint chair, according to Sgt. Kenneth Chambliss, who told jurors about the video.

Defense attorney Steve Gordon asked, however, if Nelson had had his medications that day, but Chambliss said he did not know. Chambliss agreed that any medication that could control the behavior would be helpful to jailers.

But prosecutor Bob Gill countered with questions of his own.

"Is there any drug in the world that can control a cold-blooded, remorseless killer like Mr. Nelson?" Gill asked.

"No sir," Chambliss said.

-Dianna Hunt

THURSDAy

Convicted killer Steven Lawayne Nelson indicated he was addicted to the excitement of criminal behavior and thought "the rules didn't apply to him," a Dallas probation supervisor told jurors Thursday who are considering whether to hand Nelson the death penalty in the brutal suffocation of an Arlington pastor.

Sherry Price, a Dallas county employee, testified that Nelson reached those conclusions while attending a court-ordered therapy session as part of his probation on an assault charge in Dallas County. Nelson was released from the program just days before he beat, bound and suffocated Clint Dobson, 28, during a robbery of the NorthPointe Baptist Church on March 3, 2011.

Defense attorney Bill Ray suggested during questioning, however, that those characteristics might be symptoms of underlying psychological problems that were never treated.

Price said Nelson completed the program but failed to make an appointment with her on the day he was released. He failed to meet another appointment with her on the day the pastor was killed.

Testimony on Wednesday indicated that Nelson has said he has multiple personalities that take over and commit crimes.

Nelson was convicted earlier this week of capital murder in Dobson's death. Church secretary Judy Elliott was also beaten and left for dead but survived.

The jury in state District Judge Mike Thomas' court is hearing testimony in the punishment phase of his trial. Prosecutors Bob Gill and Page Simpson are seeking the death penalty.

-Dianna Hunt 

Comments

[Jenny Simmons]

Let LOVE deliver the final verdict. Instead of giving more attention to Pastor Clint Dobson's killer, we are encouraging people to join us in making a statement to Clint's widow, family and church that LOVE, not evil, has the last word. Please give generously in Clint's honor to one of two funds set-up by his family to honor his legacy: Love God. Love People. One provides clean drinking water to a very poor village in South Sudan, another helps students attend Seminary and pursue their God-given calling. Both send the message that out of tragedy what endures is NOT evil, but LIGHT. Please join us in sending a message of Hope, Light and Love. To find links to both memorial funds and leave a message for the family, visit the facebook link below.

http://www.facebook.com/jennysimmonsmusic/posts/545999862081175