JOHNSON COUNTY, Texas — A man convicted of capital murder for shooting and killing a North Texas woman during a carjacking in 2021 was sentenced to death Thursday, officials confirm.
A Johnson County jury found Jerry Don Elders guilty of capital murder April 25 and the sentencing phase of the trial concluded Thursday. He faced either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Elders was arrested in Gainesville on April 14, 2021, after an hours-long search.
Police said Elders first shot and injured Burleson officer Joshua Lott during a traffic stop, and Elders, who was with two other passengers, left the scene. Police said the trio then abandoned the vehicle.
Elders later shot Robin Waddell during a carjacking at a home in the 8000 block of County Road 802, police say.
Police issued a Blue Alert For Elders, who was taken into custody hours later in Gainesville after they found him in a wooded area following a chase on Interstate 35.
Elders is facing either the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing hearings will resume at 8:30 a.m. Friday.