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Holly Ann Elkins, a resident of Rowlett, has been convicted in connection with the brutal murder of Alyssa Ann Burkett, Leigha Simonton U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas.

The trial, which spanned seven days, resulted in Elkins being found guilty of conspiracy to stalk, stalking using a dangerous weapon resulting in death, and brandishing a firearm in relation to a crime of violence.

Elkins’ former fiancé, Andrew Beard, had previously pleaded guilty to stalking using a dangerous weapon, resulting in death and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.

He received a 43-year sentence in federal prison.

“Holly Elkins and Andrew Beard constructed a campaign of terror aimed at Alyssa Ann Burkett, the mother of Mr. Beard’s young daughter. After months of harassment and stalking, this campaign ended in the incredibly violent murder of Alyssa at the hands of Mr. Beard with Ms. Elkins’s full participation and knowledge in the planning and ensuing attempted cover-up,” said Simonton.

“This U.S. Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Justice as a whole, are committed to bringing those guilty of such heinous domestic violence to justice.  I pray that today’s verdict brings the victim’s family the peace they need to move forward. I know they will never allow Alyssa’s daughter to forget just how much her mother loved her.”

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Elkins played a significant role in orchestrating the murder of Alyssa Ann Burkett on October 2, 2020.

Burkett, aged 24 at the time of her death, was the former girlfriend of Mr. Beard, with whom she shared a daughter.

The prosecution argued that Elkins harbored aspirations of building a life with Beard and establishing a maternal relationship with his daughter.

When her attempts to undermine Burkett’s parental fitness failed, Elkins allegedly goaded Beard into committing the heinous act.

The relationship between the two began in early April 2020, resulting in a swift progression towards engagement.

Tensions flared as Elkins became increasingly frustrated with Beard’s continued relationship with Burkett.

Shortly after Elkins moved into Beard’s residence, she began to harass Burkett, according to officials.

In June, Elkins and Beard conspired to surveil Burkett by placing a GPS tracker on her vehicle.

Elkins reportedly made false reports to law enforcement and planted incriminating evidence in Burkett’s possession.

Days before the murder, Elkins purchased supplies used in the crime, including a black rain suit and weaponry.

Text messages exchanged between Elkins and Beard revealed her encouragement for him to commit the act.

On October 2, 2020, Beard carried out the murder, disguising himself as a black man and ultimately fatally injuring Burkett.

Elkins remained at Beard’s residence during the crime, attempting to establish an alibi.

Testimony from Burkett’s new boyfriend implicated Elkins as the mastermind behind the murder, leading to her indictment.

Elkins now faces the possibility of life imprisonment for her alleged role in the tragic event.

The post Rowlett Woman Convicted in Murder Conspiracy appeared first on The DeSoto Tribune.

The three finalists to become DeSoto’s next City Manager were front and center in DeSoto City Hall Thursday Evening for a meet & greet reception and to answer pre-submitted questions from residents that were designed to reveal the personal side of each candidate and the path they intend to lead DeSoto in during their potential tenure.

Mayor Rachel L. Proctor conducted a question-and-answer session with each candidate in the packed City Council Chambers. Since they would all be asked the same questions, only one City Manager candidate was allowed into the chambers at one time. The first candidate to address the crowd was Cheryl Harrison-Lee, the CEO of Harrison-Lee Development Consulting Company, who has close to four decades of experience in public administration.

Harrison-Lee told the gathering that she wants to serve in DeSoto because she believes that city management is a calling. “I started 39 years ago in it. I love it. I have not shifted careers, and here’s why. When I go to the doctor’s office, when that nurse takes my blood pressure I’m counting on her to read it correctly. Because if she doesn’t read it correctly and it’s elevated, I can go out and have a stroke. So I’m counting on her to do a job and do it correctly. And when she comes home, I know that she’s counting on me to do my job correctly. What they’re counting on is the next morning if there’s snow, we’ve had it moved. They’re counting on parks for their children. They’re counting on clean water. So, I value this. I believe that public service is a calling.”

The second finalist to address the crowd was Joseph L. Lessard,  who served as City Manager of Ashland, Oregon, Assistant City Manager for Austin, Texas, and Assistant to the City Manager of Dallas, Texas. Said Lessard of why he wants to lead DeSoto, “I think you have an impressive city. I think it’s on the cusp of change. I can’t tell you how quickly it’s going to come, but the way I look at it I think it’s coming and so the question I think is how do you manage it so you’re happy with the results? And I think you have to look at the issues that are coming from the recommendations that you have of potential solutions 360 degrees. Quite often everybody has a mindset that this is the answer. But have you really asked yourself what the opposite answer is? What’s the creative solution that may be t

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The Dallas Theater Center, one of the nation’s leading producers of classic and global theater experiences, has announced its annual gala and fundraiser.

The gala, whose theme is  Centerstage 40: A Brand New Day, is scheduled for May 4, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Fashion Industry Gallery.

The gala will feature a special performance from the award-winning Broadway star André De Shields, who has appeared in DTC’s musical Fortress of Solitude and as Prospero in The Tempest.

The event provides an opportunity to help raise funds in support of productions and programs for the award-winning theater company.  

It is also the 40th year of the gala as well as the 65th anniversary of the Dallas Theater Organization.

“As the DTC steps into 65 years of producing incredible work on stage, we also celebrate 40 years of exceptional gala evenings featuring local and national talent and honoring the community that makes it all possible,” said Hamilton A Sneed, Centerstage 40 Event Chair.

Additionally, the event serves not only as a fundraising event but also honors individuals for their commitment to service, leadership, and community impact with the Linda and Bill Custard Award.

This year’s recipient, Donna Wilhelm, a life trustee of DTC, has shown a profound commitment to American Theater and to the Dallas Theater Center.

“Donna Wilhelm and her family have provided essential support for Dallas Theater Center, including a significant commitment to DTC’s education and community engagement programming, funding, and strategic planning,” said Kevin Moriarty, Executive Director of Dallas Theater Center. 

For more information on sponsorship opportunities and to purchase tickets, interested parties can visit the Dallas Theater Center website.

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The DeSoto City Council has announced three finalists for the search for a new city manager and is inviting residents to take part in a meet and greet at city hall.

The public meet and greet will take place on Thursday, April 18, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and give residents a chance to meet the final candidates for the city manager position.

“We are excited to welcome our three City Manager finalists to City Hall on Thursday evening and are inviting residents to stop by or tune in so that they can meet them,” said DeSoto Mayor Rachel L. Proctor.

Residents will be able to meet the three candidates face to face as well as view the main proceedings on the city’s website and Facebook page.

The city also has its own app on Roku, a popular streaming platform that allows people who wish to view the proceedings from the comfort of their homes to do so.

Citizens who are unable to attend the meet and greet in person but still have questions will be able to submit questions in advance by clicking on a special link.

DeSoto City Manager Candidates:

Majed Al-Ghafry — An Executive Engineer and educator with 35 years of government and private sector experience. He is presently the Assistant City Manager and Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Dallas. He previously served as Assistant City Manager of the City of El Cajon, California, and the Director of Public Works for San Antonio, Texas. Al-Ghafry is a Credentialed City Manager and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of North Texas, Denton, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston.

Cheryl Harrison-Lee – Lee is the CEO of Harrison-Lee Development Consulting Company and has served for 39 years in public administration, including serving as a municipal administrator in Florida and Kansas. She also serves as the Chief Technical Advisor for the City of Kansas City, Missouri Central City Economic Development Sales Tax District. Harrison-Lee holds a graduate degree from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina. She is also a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Program. Finally, Harrison-Lee is a Credentialed Manager through the International City Management Association (ICMA) and a Certified Planner through the American Planning Association (APA). 

Joseph L. Lessard — Lessard served in the public sector as City Manager of Ashland, Oregon, Assistant City Manager for Austin, Texas, and Assistant to the City Manager of Dallas, Texas. He also served in the private sector in executive positions in land development and multi-family financial oversight and provided consultant services in intergovernmental relations, economic development, and project management. Lessard holds a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs with a public finance concentration. He also holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees in business administration and political science from Washington State University. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute, Congress for the New Urbanism and the International City/County Management Association.

“The person that we select as City Manager will lead DeSoto for several years and guide projects and policies that will shape our city and impact residents for decades to come, so my Ci