Wife slain at home

The Brazosport Facts, Clute Texas ^ | Published July 12, 2003 | By Michael Wright

[buffyt]

John and Linda Bates’ meticulously manicured yard is a jarring contrast to the blood on their carpet. The blood was Linda’s, the stains coming from the 17 to 19 stab wounds John is accused of inflicting after an argument Thursday night at their home in the 100 block of Country Road.

Linda Bates, 41, was pronounced dead at Angleton Danbury Medical Center after her brother-in-law’s attempts to revive her failed. John Bates, 40, is in Brazoria County Detention Center facing murder charges. His bond was set at $750,000.

“He’s pretty shaken up,” said Tom Selleck, John Bates’ attorney. “I expect we’ll be asking a court to reduce his bond.”

The couple worked at the Ramsey II prison unit, he as a sergeant, she as a psychologist contracted from the University of Texas Medical Branch. Investigators are still trying to put the pieces together.

“Apparently, he was accusing her of having an affair,” said Paige Newsom, who is leading the Sheriff’s Department investigation.

Newsom said the couple had one child, a 7-year-old girl. Linda Bates’ 17-year-old daughter also lived at the house. Newsom said John Bates and his brother had just returned from a trip to Arkansas, where John left the younger daughter.

Bates’ brother went to the driveway to give the couple some privacy while they talked in the sunroom about 7:45 p.m.

“The brother heard her scream and ran in there,” Newsom said. “He pulled him off and saw some type of a kitchen knife.”

Newsom said the attack was bloody.

“There was so much blood on the body,” she said. “She had several cuts across the throat.” Court documents describe John Bates as “covered in blood.”

The killing shocked a neighborhood that is normally so quiet you can hear a driveway basketball game being played down the street. Most neighbors declined to comment. One man, who declined to give his name, said the Bates children were often at his house and his children were often at the Bates’, though he didn’t have much contact with the parents.

According to court documents, another neighbor told investigators that after the screaming stopped, he could see John Bates pacing in the sunroom.

“He attempted to get the suspect to come talk to him,” the document states, “but the suspect refused, stating, ‘It was all over.’”

John Bates began his career with the prison system in December 1984. “He was described to me by the warden today as being a very good employee,” said Larry Fitzgerald, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. “The warden went out of the way to describe him that way.”

Ramsey II Warden Diana Hastings-Oliphant could not be reached for comment Friday. Bailey’s Prairie Mayor Randy Taylor said he’s shocked that violence came so suddenly to his community.

“You hate to see anything like that happen,” Taylor said. “Especially in your own neighborhood. Nothing to my knowledge has ever happened like that.”

Dudley Charles Jr. of West Columbia who attended group therapy sessions in Lake Jackson conducted by Linda Bates. He found out about the killing when he showed up for Friday’s session.

“She was a very nice lady,” he said. Charles said Bates’ violent death confuses him. “She was a good one,” he said. “It’s amazing. You counsel somebody and have problems yourself.”

[buffyt]

He killed her with a knife. If it had been a gun, it would have been a much BIGGER news story. If he had run over her with a SUV, it would have made national news. There are so many killings with knives and other weapons other than guns. But they don't make the news. The media only wants to give a bad name to guns and SUVs. A couple killed the wife's dad by beating him to death with a TENNIS RACKET. That wasn't a gun, didn't make the news.

[Support Free Republic]

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[ICX]

Apparently not even the fact that Mr. Bates is being represented by Tom Selleck has made this front page news.

[EggsAckley]

"“He’s pretty shaken up,” said Tom Selleck, John Bates’ attorney"

Well if I had an actor defending ME in a murder case I'd be pretty shaken up too. ;o)

[Tijeras_Slim]

When asked for comment, his brother Norman said....

[Texas Mom]

Apparently not even the fact that Mr. Bates is being represented by Tom Selleck has made this front page news.

I was wondering how long it would take for someone to pick up on this. LOL

We always had fun with that name when he was assistant district attorney. It was a hoot when one of our female Alvin cops married Tom Selleck a few years back. Headline was

Alvin Cop marries Tom Selleck.

[Texas Mom]

You're right about the knife and not a gun thing buffyt. As far as I am aware it never even made the Houston news. Just the Facts..

[buffyt]

Wrong Tom Selleck! LOL This one isn't cute!

[buffyt]

Yeah, TM, I Should have changed his name to Thomas Selleck when I posted it! I wondered how many Freepers would pick up on that name! LOL Hope all is well there, I am still cleaning house. Company coming!

[EggsAckley]

"Wrong Tom Selleck! LOL This one isn't cute"

I was kidding.