A crime scene analyst testified for close to two hours Tuesday in the trial of Clyde Allen Stephens, 36, in Bowie County. Stephens faces charges of capital murder of multiple persons, unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges stem from the June 19, 2025, deaths of Charles Beckham, 64, and Donna Culpepper, 63, at Beckham's home on Private Road 42041 in DeKalb.
Texarkana Texas Crime Scene Officer Spencer Price told jurors that Beckham had gunshot wounds, including one to the back of the head, and that his body was partly burned. Investigators believe Beckham interrupted a burglary as he returned from work at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Johnson Unit in Winnsboro. Investigators allege Stephens set Beckham's body on fire to cover up the crime. Price said Culpepper had a head injury and, in his opinion, was put on her knees and executed.
Stephens is held in the Bi-State Detention Center on total bail of $7.3 million. His attorney is Jeff Harrelson. The state is not seeking the death penalty; if convicted of capital murder, Stephens could receive life in prison without parole. Trooper Dustin Johnson of the Texas Department of Public Safety also testified about tracing Culpepper's stolen vehicle to Arkansas. Testimony is expected to continue Wednesday at the Bowie County Courthouse.