Toby Shook to prosecute Paris Texas murder suspects in death of Brandon McClelland

Mary Madewell and the Paris News report that Toby Shook has been assigned as special prosecutor in the murder cases of Shannon Finley and Ryan Crostley.  Finley and Crostley are accused of murdering Brandon McClelland, whose body was presumably run over by a pickup truck.

This comes after Lamar County District Attorney Gary Young recused his office from the prosecution.   “Even though nothing legal prohibits my office from handling this case,”  Young tells the Paris News, “it’s been acknowledged that I previously defended Mr. Finley when I was in private practice.“

Shook is a former Dallas County prosecutor, who tried the Texas Seven and worked on the Darlie Routier case.  He launched an unsuccessful bid to become Dallas County District Attorney in 2006, losing the election to current D.A. Craig Watkins.  Shook’s appointment was made by State district Judge Jim Lovett.

I’m glad to see that Young stepped aside and Shook is a decent choice because of his experience in high profile cases. One lawyer that I spoke with today said Shook “might be the best prosecutor and trial lawyer in the state.”

Now the jury selection is the next process to watch because I’ve received some troubling reports about the selection process up there.