January 3, 2023- Hemphill, TX

Matthew Edgar was hurriedly escorted into the Sabine County Courthouse earlier today to finally face the punishment phase of the murder trial he walked away from 11 months ago.  Dressed in a pink jumpsuit with the same bullet proof vest on that his Sabine County Deputy escort was wearing, Edgar was cuffed and delivered to the courthouse more than an hour before the 1 p.m. sentencing was set to begin.  During that time, the historic building filled with media, family, friends and commumity members, all eager to finally see justice for Livye Lewis.  In addition to those in the gallery, those in an official capacity during the trial also returned to see the end of this tragic drama that has played out in our hometown and our hearts for more than two years. Former District Attorney Kevin Dutton and Investigator Josh Moody were both in attendance as was Rob Hughes, defense attorney for Edgar. This puzzled some because Hughes, at the end of the conviction last January, publically stated on the record to Judge Jim Payne that he would no longer be representing Edgar. Maybe his presence was just a formality of fulfilling his duty through the sentencing phase.

We visited with several family members and friends before Judge Payne  was announced and proceedings began.

To begin, Judge Payne declared that no recordings or photos were allowed during the proceedings and that there would only be one official document from today- the one provided by the court reporter. *Note- any photos here of the courtroom were taken before or after official proceedings took place.

The judge then called to order Cause # 2107945 State of Texas vs Matthew Hoy Edgar. He then asked for record of appearance from council. Paul Robbins, District Attorney and Jodi Marshall, Assistant District Attorney answered for the state while Rob Hughes and Steve Seales were present for the defense.  Judge noted that Edgar was present and had him stand before relaying that the convict had  been tried and found guilty of the murder of LIvye Heathyr Lewis in this very court. Although Edgar entered a plea of not guilty, the evidence was weighed by the jury and he was found guilty and sentenced to 99 years in prison. He then stated that the jury did not recommend community supervision of any kind and that it was the judgement of the court that he was guilty in CR #2107945, The State of Texas vs. Matthew Edgar and proceeded to sentence Edgar to serve 99 years and remanded him to the custody of the Sabine County Sheriff’s Department for transport to Texas Department of Criminal Justice as well as a fine of $10,000. 

Judge Payne then asked if there was anything further to which DA Robbins requested that Victim Impact Statements be allowed from Janice Lewis, grandmother of Livye and Darci Bass, the victim’s mother.

The judge granted this request and Janice Lewis took the stand first. She recounted a lively granddaughter, full of joy, dreams and laughter. “Livye loved babies, she loved your babies Matthew.” Lewis continued with the last time she saw Livye. “She came to get tamales. For your dad, Matthew. Do you remember that? We didn’t even know you, but she wanted tamales to please you make you happy and your dad. Can you tell me Matthew, what she ever did to you to make you do this to her?”

When Darci was asked for her Victim Impact Statement she opted to let Livye’s voice be the loudest and last heard in the courtroom. Bass played a video of a speech Livye had given during her graduation year in preparation for attending Stephen F. Austin for nursing. The moment her voice was heard, everyone held their breath.  Her spirit was palpable and present and truly, it was something no one in attendance will ever forget.

With that, Judge Payne declared the proceedings closed and court dismissed. However, everyone was held for ten minutes while Sheriff Deputies took Edgar into custody and began transport. 

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