Ugly Man Cossacks MC President Texas Murder Trial

Trial begins for alleged biker gang president connected to murder of ETX motorcyclist

By Lauren Tear and Mack ShawPublished: Dec. 10, 2024
https://www.kltv.com/2024/12/10/trial-begins-alleged-biker-gang-president-connected-murder-etx-motorcyclist/

TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Trial has started for a Kemp man believed to be the brains behind an organized hit on a rival motorcycle club member.

Kevin Dale Higgins, 58, is believed 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, 2022. Tuesday, Higgins’ trial began in Judge Austin Reeve Jackson’s court.

An arrest affidavit for Higgins’ alleged sergeant at arms, Chad Michael Crowell, of Eustace, claims that Higgins gave a “smash on site” order for any member of the rival club 1%er Cossacks. The document says the Ugly Man Cossacks believe the 1%ers stole their name, and Higgins ordered his alleged subordinates to “hurt em’ until they change their names.”

To begin Higgins’ trial Tuesday, the state called Agent Doug Pearson with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, who is an expert on outlaw motorcycle gangs. Pearson explained the history of motorcycle clubs and the distinction between gangs and clubs. He said gangs are “all about protocol,” and described the heirarchy of leadership.

According to Pearson, violating the orders of a high-level member could lead to punishment and expulsion.
Pearson said a 2015 shooting in Waco ultimately led to a split of the Cossacks gang, birthing the Ugly Man group and the 1%ers. Higgins is believed to have been the national vice president at that time.

Following the investigation into Edwards’ murder, Joshua Ray Tibbits, of Waco, Jose Antonio Valenzuela, of Longview, and Jeffery Ryan Griffin, of Robinson, were convicted of executing the orders given by Higgins and Crowell. Tibbits is serving 45 years after a late 2023 trial, and Valenzuela and Griffin are both serving 22 years.