Snyder Man On Trial for Felony Charges After Bacon Theft
By: Snyder Daily News
Updated: January 25, 2012
The charge was enhanced to a felony due to two prior misdemeanor convictions for theft -- one in Scurry County and the second in Ector County. Norvell also has two prior felony convictions, including possession of a controlled substance in Andrews County and for evading arrest in Scurry County.
This morning, Snyder police officer Randy Ford, who began his testimony Tuesday afternoon, was back on the stand. Also testifying today for the state was Snyder police officer Lee Ortiz. Ortiz said he reviewed the surveillance tapes of the shoplifting and recognized Norvell and his truck in the United parking lot.
He said he was definitely able to tell Norvell walked out of the store with a sack and then walked back in and placed the bacon in the sack. Ortiz also testified that Norvell left without paying around 7 p.m. The officer said he watched tapes revealing that Norvell had shoplifted items at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on the same day, but could not definitely tell what he had taken from the store's meat market.
Ortiz said because what was taken could not be determined, Norvell was not charged with those thefts.
An arrest warrant was issued for Norvell and he was taken into custody on July 16. The court was in recess for 35 minutes this morning before defense attorney Reed Filley of Lamesa told Judge Ernie Armstrong that he would like to visit with Norvell in private.
The request was granted and the two were out of the courtroom for 10 minutes. When they returned, Filley told Judge Armstrong that they were ready to proceed with the trial. The judge then brought the jury in and the surveillance tapes were being shown by District Attorney Dana Cooley and assistant District Attorney Ben Smith at press time.

