Laylands, The body was found Shortly afterwards by a neighbor who
field and they were both arrested
when they returned with a wrecker to pick up the car, Wilson con-
fessed that he had killed Layland but at his trial he said that he
had blacked out and did not remember what had happened, He claimed
that his confession was based on information that his accomplice had
given. to him. Watson, who had not actaully attacked Mr, Layton, was
sentenced to 99=years an an accomplice while Wilson was given the
death penalty, After the Texas aupreie Court affirmed the conviction
and sentence, he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison on March
20, 1962, "
TRUE DETECTIVE, March, 1961. Page 32,
Boe Se We end Luly
Laylands. The body was found shortly afterwards by a neighbor who
saw_the two-menfleeing—aeross—a—field—and they were both arrested
when they returned with a wrecker to pick up the car, Wilson con-
fessed that he had killed Layland but at his trial he said that he
had blacked out and did not remember what had happened, He claimed
that his confession was based on information that his accomplice had
given, to him. Watson, who had not actaully attacked Mr, Layton, was
sentenced to 99-years an an accomplice while Wilson was given the
death penalty, After the Texas Supreme Court affirmed the conviction
and spre he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison on March
20, 1962. ‘
TRUE DETECTIVE, March, 1961. Page 32,
352 S. We 2nd 11)
Laylands. The body was found shortly afterwards by a neighbor who
au_the + fleeis §
£ mi they were both arrested |
when they returned with a wrecker to pick up the car. Wilson con-
fessed that he had killed La i
given. to him. Watson, who had not actaully attacked ur, Layton, was
sentenced to 99-years an an accomplice while Wilson was given the
death penalty. After the Texas Suprehe Court affirmed the conviction
and sentence, he was electrocuted at the Texas State Prison on March
TRUE DETECTIVE, March, 1961, Page 32.
352 Se We 2nd 11h
08 DEIOCID, Mach 29624. Pee 32:
WILSON, Donald Ray
Wilson, a 20-year-old white man, was a native of Jotmson Coe, Tex, He
had served time in the Texas State Prison for car theft, burglary and
forgery, being released on parole in June, 1959, He went to Houston
where he obtairied work as a carpenter's helper and became friends with
another ex-convict, k3-year-old Leonard John Watson, On Nov. 29,
1960, the two men, having been on a three day drinking binge, decided
to go on a hunting and fishing trip to Johnson Co. About four miles
outside of Cleburne, on the old Mansfield Road, Wilson lost control
of his automobile and ran into a ditch, They got a farmer to’ pull
it into his pasture with his tractor and then went to the home of
78-year-old James Edward Layland, a truck farmer for whom Wilson had
worked at one time. They watched television for a time and Wilson
asked to borrow the old man's rifle, XAYF Layland refused and shortly
afterwards went to his barn to feed his chickens, Wilson and Watson
followsd and without warning Wilson picked up a large rock and struck
Layland on the head several times. When the old man tried to make his
way back to his house, Wilson stabbed him in the back and abdomen,
Wilson and Watson dragged the body back into bhe chicken house where
they took Layland's wallet and divided the money. They then ransacked
the house and Wilson exchanged his own bloody clothes for some of
WILSON, Donald Ray
Wilson, a 20-year-old white man, was a native of Johnson Co.; Tex, He
had served time in the Texas State Prison for car theft, burglary and
forgery, being released on parole in June, 1959, He went to Houston
where he obtained work as a carpenter's helper and became friends with
another ex-convict, k3-year-old Leonard John Watsony On Nov. 29,
1960, the two men, having been on a three day drinking binge, decided
to go on a hunting and fishing trip to Johnson Co. About four miles
outside of Cleburne, on the old Mansfield Road, Wilson lost control
of his automobile and ran into a ditch, They got a farmer to pull
it into his pasture with his tractor and then went to the home of
78-year-old James Edward Layland, a truck farmer for whom Wilson had
worked at one time. They watched television for a time and Wilson
asked to borrow the old man's rifle, X4X¥F Layland refused and shortly
afterwards went to his barn to feed his chickens, Wilson and Watson
followgd and without warning Wilson picked up a large rock and struck
Layland on the head several times. When the old man tried to make his
way back to his house, Wilson stabbed him in the back and abdomen,
Wilson and Watson dragged the body back into bhe chicken house where
they took Layland's wallet and divided the money, They then ransacked
the house and Wilson exchanged his own bloody clothes for some of
WILSON, Donald Ray
Wilson, a 20-year-old white man, was a native of Johnson Co., Tex.
had served tine in the Texas State Prison for car theft, burglary and
forgery, being released on parole in June, 1959, He went to Houston
where he obtained work as a carpenter's helper and became friends with
another ex-convict, h3-year-old Leonard John Watson, On Nov. 29,
1960, the two men, having been on a three day drinking binge, decided
to go on a hunting and fishing trip to Jomson Co. About four miles
outside of Cleburne, on the old Mansfield Road, Wilson lost control
they took Layland! hen ransacked
the house and Wil: some of
MISC, Donald Bay
con exchanged Hs‘ Hoot ows
