April 9, 2026 – The 1996 murder of Geraldine Blackmon has culminated in the guilty verdict of previous Hopkins County resident William Doyle Magness who had been living in Midlothian at the time of his arrest. Magness now awaits his punishment as the Hopkins County jury decides his future in the punishment phase of the trial that began on Monday April 6th.
The cold case was never far of the radar of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office or Sheriff Lewis Tatum as the case heated back up last year with a comprehensive re-investigation of the 1996 homicide. A critical piece of evidence that had eluded athorities for almost 30 years was finally found in possession of William Doyle Magness at his home in Midlothian. A gun barrell that authorities had searched for and believed at the time to be involved in the crime was located and positively matched to the bullet collected from the 1996 crime scene, providing the crucial link needed to move the case forward.
At the time of the July 2025 investigation, Tatum praised the dedication of the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators Shea Shaw and Chris Baumann. And he also thanked Texas Rangers Warren Williamson and David Stewart for their partnership and expert support.
Now William Magness, who was in his early 40’s when the crime occurred awaits his punisment in the thirty year old crime.
