By Janet Jacobs
Corsicana Daily Sun
Corsicana — The manslaughter charge against Tommy Sinclair has been dropped, according to a decision sent Monday from District Judge James Lagomarsino to Sinclair’s attorney.
Sinclair is the owner of Mustang. Even before becoming the town’s owner, Sinclair operated two clubs in the town, including the nude cabaret Wispers. On Oct. 1, 2008, Sinclair got into an altercation with Fernando Ramirez, 35, of Houston. Ramirez ended up being dragged out of the club by his heels, but he was hit on the head at least once in the process.
While his co-worker was driving him south on Interstate 45 towards Buffalo, where they were staying, Ramirez lost consciousness. His friend stopped on the county line and called an ambulance, and Ramirez was transported to East Texas Medical Center in Fairfield, where he was pronounced dead.
On June 5, 2009, Sinclair was indicted on two charges, manslaughter and aggravated assault.
The manslaughter charge was based on the fact that Sinclair didn’t call the police or medical personnel when it was apparent Ramirez was injured.
Now, the manslaughter charge has been thrown out.
“After reviewing relevant case law (although sparse as to this issue) and statutory law, the court grants the defendant’s motion to quash indictment as to Count 1,” Lagomarsino’s letter states.
Sinclair said he’s relieved to have the more serious charge taken away.
“I’m really happy,” he said, praising what he called the judge’s lack of bias.
Still remaining is a charge of assault, which Sinclair said he doesn’t fear because a videotape of the incident will prove his innocence.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com
