HOUSTON – James Elmore, the man indicted in connection with two of the four “Texas Killing Fields” murders, had his bond set at a total of $3 million in a Galveston County courtroom Thursday.
Elmore, 61, faces three felony charges related to the 1986 deaths of Laura Miller and Audrey Cook. His bond was set for $1.5 million in the manslaughter case and an additional $1.5 million for two tampering with evidence charges.
Recommended Videos
Prosecutors allege Elmore helped longtime suspect Clyde Edwin Hedrick conceal the women’s remains and prepared a vial of cocaine that Hedrick allegedly administered to Miller, killing her.
OUR FIRST REPORT: Man accused of helping dispose of 2 bodies in ‘Texas Killing Fields’ murders arrested
Hedrick died by suicide in March, officials confirmed to KPRC 2.
“He was taken to the hospital for some breathing issues on Friday, and due to some of his other health issues, he was placed on a ventilator Friday. On Saturday, he removed that ventilator,” said prosecutor Kate Willis.
The district attorney’s office was preparing to seek capital murder charges against Hedrick.
On Thursday, Elmore arrived in court handcuffed, wearing a pink Galveston County Jail jumpsuit.
Prosecutors asked the judge to keep him jailed.
“He’s habitual, Your Honor,” the prosecutor said. “There is also some violent history, violent arrests in his past.”
His defense attorney told the court Elmore has roughly $5,000, making it unlikely he will post bail.
The judge set a trial date for August 24, 2026.
District Attorney Ken Cusick said the investigation is not over and that other leads are still being pursued.
KPRC 2 Investigates has covered the Texas Killing Fields for years, documenting the decades-long hunt for answers in its four-part docuseries, “The Evidence Room.”