Witness says biker club leader accused of ETX murder sought to avoid conflict
https://www.kltv.com/2024/12/13/trial-club-president-accused-east-texas-biker-death-starts-with-attorney-found-contempt/
By Colten Sneed KLTV Published: Dec. 13, 2024
TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – The defense began their arguments Friday in the trial for a biker club president accused of ordering the murder of an East Texas motorcyclist.
Kevin Dale Higgins, 58, is reported to be the national president of the Ugly Man Cossacks motorcycle club. He was arrested in April in connection with the murder of rival club member Brandon Edwards, of Ben Wheeler, who was shot to death in Arp on May 2, 2020.
The defense began their counter argument in the case, strongly emphasizing the possibility that the club’s second in command, sergeant at arms, Chad Michael Crowell, of Eustace, is responsible.
Crowell has been charged with directing street gang activities.
he defense first called former Cossack member Tiger Goldens to the stand.
Goldens said he has known Higgins since joining the group nearly twenty years ago. Goldens said he served as the club’s national secretary before retiring in April.
He testified Higgins did not murder or harm anyone. Instead, Goldens said Higgins was fair and tried to avoid conflict, even stopping a gathering of manpower Edwards tried to organize.
He said Higgins did not order the “smash on sight,” testifying Crowell acted on his own.
He also mentioned Higgins was later removed from presidency by a hostile takeover and most presidents were removed by force.
During cross examination, Goldens told the defense a ‘smash on sight’ order was never made during a meeting, but agreed the order can be made outside of meetings, saying, “anything is possible.”
Goldens also said the sergeant of arms can do whatever he wants without reprimand, responsible only for the people who rank underneath him.
If Higgins is convicted, he will face a sentence up to life in prison.
Earlier Friday, before testimony could begin, Attorney Erick Platten stepped out to talk to a witness in the hall. Judge Reeve Jackson came into the court and started yelling at Platten in what Platten said was a misunderstanding.
“Mr. Platten don’t say anything else,” Jackson said. “During voir dire, you began with obnoxious, demeaning and disrespectful comments towards this court’s rulings. And I let them go because we weren’t going to deal with moving 90 people in and out to address your behavior. Now I am done. I am Mr. Platten. I am done. I’m going to give you instructions. You’re going to follow them. You can say and think whatever you like about them as soon as you leave. But while you are in here, you will do no more and no less than exactly what you were ordered to do. Is that understood?”
Jackson warned Platten to stop talking but Platten kept responding to Jackson.
“I need to know your orders,” Platten said.
My order is sit down,” Jackson said. “Stop talking to witnesses who are represented by counsel. That’s three times.”
“You asked me to get them,” Platten said.
Jackson then told Platten he was finding Platten in contempt and he would have to see a judge to address the finding.
“Mr. Platten this court is going to find that you are in contempt,” Jackson said. “This case will be sent over to the presiding judge for appointment of a mutual magistrate to review that contempt proceeding. I suggest you say nothing else.”
Jackson then walked out of the courtroom before later returning to proceed with the trial.
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