The Palestine Herald, Palestine, Texas

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July 25, 2012

Local man indicted for murder

By PAUL STONE Palestine Herald-Press

PALESTINE — A 49-year-old Palestine man who allegedly shot and killed another local man more than two years ago in a dispute over a lawnmower has been indicted for murder by an Anderson County grand jury.

Chester Alan Staples, 49, of Palestine was indicted on the murder charge by the grand jury on July 12, according to Anderson County District Attorney Doug Lowe.

Staples was additionally indicted on the felony charge of felon in possession of a firearm, according to the district attorney.

Authorities have said Staples shot and killed Tracey Matthew Polley, 35, of Palestine shortly before 7 p.m. on May 25, 2010 outside the deceased man’s residence in the 4400 block of Texas 155, approximately 3 miles north of the Palestine city limits.

The shootout occurred after Staples, who was critically injured in the gunfight, apparently traveled to Polley’s residence with a truck and trailer to pick up a lawn tractor he had sold to the now-deceased man, authorities have said.

The men, who both have criminal histories, were acquainted with one another.

“This is a quarrel over a tractor that allegedly Staples had sold to Polley,” Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor told the Herald-Press at the time of the shootout. “There were some allegations that he (Polley) owed him some money. Staples went to get the lawn tractor and that’s when the fight erupted.”

Polley was inside his residence upon Staples’ arrival, but apparently went outside to the south side of his house after being informed that someone was milling around the tractor, according to the sheriff.

The sheriff said investigation indicated there was a short period of arguing between the men before the shootout began.

Taylor said one person, a 77-year-old man, witnessed the shootout, adding there were at least two persons inside Polley’s residence at the time of the confrontation.

Staples was armed with a .22 caliber revolver and Polley with a .38 caliber revolver, according to Taylor.

Staples hit Polley with five shots, including one which penetrated the man’s heart, according to the sheriff.

Polley shot Staples in the face, and authorities believe he fired more than one shot, Taylor added.

Polley was pronounced dead at the scene, while Staples was first transported to Palestine Regional Medical Center before later being lifeflighted to Trinity Mother Frances Hospital in Tyler.

The state’s indictment against Staples alleges he has been convicted of at least four prior felonies dating back as far as the mid-1980s, including robbery (twice), burglary of a building and tampering/fabricating physical evidence.

His bond on the recent charges has been set at $250,000 by 349th State District Judge Pam Foster Fletcher.



Paul Stone may be contacted via e-mail at pstone@palestineherald.com

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