Prosecution, defense rest; closing arguments next in Luis Torres intoxication manslaughter case

Published 12:04 pm Friday, July 22, 2022

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

BEAUMONT — The prosecution and defense rested Friday morning in the intoxication manslaughter case of Luis Torres.

UPDATE: Jury reaches a verdict.

Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham said closing arguments would begin at 12:30 p.m. Friday.

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

The case is being heard in Judge John Stevens’ court.

Torres, 20, of Port Arthur is on trial in the intoxication manslaughter death of 23-year-old Beaumont Police Officer Sheena Yarbrough-Powell.

On Aug. 9, 2020, Yarbrough-Powell and then 28-year-old Officer Gabriel Fells were traveling northbound on Cardinal Drive near the Texas 347 overpass when a wrong way driver not using headlights struck them head-on.

Yarbrough-Powell died at the scene, and Fells suffered severe injuries.

Police said Torres was driving without a license and was believed to be highly intoxicated with a blood alcohol content of .296.

MORE COVERAGE: Pathologist details trauma suffered by Beaumont officer in deadly head-on crash.