Murder Suspect Freed On Bond

Staff Writer

Murder suspect Johnson Walter Burris, 43, Mabank, who was recently indicted by a Van Zandt County Grand Jury for the murder of Diane Hopson, 62, Mabank, has been released from the Van Zandt County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Hopson has been missing from her residence on VZCR 2815 since November 18 and blood evidence connected Burris to Hopson in the disappearance. Hopson’s body has never been found.

The bond reduction was made by District Judge Teresa Drum after an original bond of $1 million was set by Van Zandt County Justice Precinct 2 Ronnie Daniell.

When called for a comment regarding the procedure of determining bond amounts, Drum said, "I can not discuss a pending case…"

Daniell explained, however, that many factors are considered when determining a bond amount in any case.

"We have to consider the possibility of flight, past history of flight and evading arrest, as well as the crime that the suspect has allegedly committed. The sole purpose of a bond is to guarantee the appearance of the suspect in court," said Daniell.

Daniell said in any homicide case that comes before him, a bond will not be set lower than $1 million.

"This is for the protection of everyone involved, the criminal and the public. The suspected criminal has constitutional rights no matter what he has been accused of doing. Sometimes keeping a criminal in jail is for his protection as well as the general public’s protection," said Daniell.

Daniell also said that bargaining between the defense attorneys and the district attorney’s office can affect a bond amount as well.

Van Zandt County Sheriff R.P. "Pat" Burnett said that his job is to put criminals in jail.

"We put them in jail and judges set the bonds. We, as officers, may not always agree with set bond amounts, but if the suspect commits a crime while out on bond we will put them right back in jail," said Burnett.

Burris is now awaiting trial.