After more than 20 years, Clinton Lee Young III was convicted of capital murder in the killing of Samuel Petrey and given a life sentence by the Texas Attorney General’s Criminal Justice Division. The Midland County jurors’ decision was based on evidence that Young had shot Petrey twice in the head at an oil lease site in November 2001, according to the Texas Attorney General’s Office.
On November 23, 2001, Young stole a.22 Colt Huntsman handgun from a sporting goods store in East Texas. His criminal activities quickly progressed to carjacking and murder. Together with his co-defendant David Page, Jr., they were caught on camera forcing Petrey to drive them from Eastland to Midland in Petrey’s own truck while brandishing guns. Young and Petrey eventually dropped Page off at the oil lease location where the murder occurred, despite Young’s attempt to purchase another pistol at a Midland Walmart with Petrey’s assistance.
Law enforcement was able to determine the exact time of Petrey’s murder by piecing together evidence from many security films and cell phone records. The ballistics of the stolen Colt Huntsman pistol, which Young was discovered carrying following a fast-paced pursuit with the police when they attempted to arrest him, matched the shell shells discovered close to Petrey’s body. Young was first found guilty in 2003 after his arrest, however the verdict was later reversed on appeal. He has already spent about 20 years behind bars, but the life sentence requires him to serve at least 40 years before he is eligible for release.
Assistant Attorney Generals Marie Primm, Joshua Somers, and Matthew Ottoway spearheaded the successful prosecution effort, while Sgt. Investigator David Fugitt served as the OAG investigator. Young’s fate has been sealed with a life sentence despite the protracted case, demonstrating the judicial system’s dedication to enforcing the law regardless of the amount of time that has elapsed.
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