Second suspect convicted of murder

ANDERSON- The second suspect in the 2016 murder of Jason Currie has plead guilty and was sentenced to prison for his role in the murder.

Monday, March 16, Colton Joe Manning pled guilty to the murder of Currie before 506th District Judge Albert McCaig Jr. and was subsequently sentenced to 20-years in prison.

James “Danny” Green is serving a life-sentence for his role in the murder after being convicted by a Grimes County Jury in April 2019.

Currie was reported missing Saturday, June 25, 2016 by his family and friends. Grimes County Sheriff’s Office Investigators along with the Texas Ranger Service conducted an exhaustive investigation over a threeweek period before discovering Currie’s body in a remote creek bed on July 13, 2016. At the time the body was discovered, only a partial skeleton remained.

Green detailed a confrontation at a private deer camp over an accidental phone call where Currie was shot and killed. A friend of Currie was also present at the time of the murder. According to reports both men were at the location to purchase meth. Currie’s friend witnessed the murder before escaping the scene in a truck.

An eyewitness to the murder testified that Green who was actively encouraged and supported by Manning who was also armed with a gun, shot Currie with a .38 handgun.

Montgomery County Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley and Courtney Cain with Grimes County District Attorney’s Office planned during trial to show Manning was guilty of murder under the Texas law of parties.

After nearly four years I am grateful to finally give the family of Jason Currie closure from this tragic loss of life,” stated Grimes County District Attorney Andria Bender. “Manning may not have been the person who fired the fatal shot that killed Jason Currie but under Texas law, as a part, he was also guilty of murder. Today he accepted responsibility for his actions and was sentenced to prison.”

Currie was booked into the Grimes County Jail and awaits transport to prison.