NEWTON, Texas — The Newton County Criminal District Attorney has recused herself from a murder case after defense attorneys alleged evidence tampering. An outside prosecutor has been appointed to continue the case stemming from a fatal 2022 shooting in Deweyville .

Judge Craig Mixson granted Criminal District Attorney Courtney Ponthier's motion to recuse on Aug. 28 and appointed Hardin County District Attorney Rebecca Walton to prosecute Zachary Allen Wilson, 20, who was charged with murder in the June 18, 2022, shooting death of James W. Hollie, 39.

The recusal came one week after defense attorney Cory Crenshaw filed a motion on Aug. 21 accusing prosecutors of altering a toxicology report and seeking dismissal of charges for prosecutorial misconduct.

Wilson was arrested at the scene

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