Man Pleads Guilty In Manslaughter Death Of Girlfriend's Child
By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer
Robert Kassube pleaded guilty Friday to manslaughter for the drowning death of his girlfriend’s 9-month-old son.
Staff Writer
Robert Kassube pleaded guilty Friday to manslaughter for the drowning death of his girlfriend’s 9-month-old son.
The 46-year-old Tyler man pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the infant’s death, as well as possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and evading arrest in a vehicle.
On Jan. 11, Kassube allegedly hit a box truck on South Broadway Avenue and led officers on a car chase in southeast Tyler.
He was arrested but bonded out the same day. On Jan. 12, Tyler police responded to his apartment on Thistle Drive and found 9-month-old Joshua Michael McMurray unconscious and unresponsive in the bathtub.
Kassube lived at the apartment with his girlfriend Elizabeth McMurray, 21, and her two children. Kassube and Ms. McMurray were arrested Jan. 15, three days after Joshua died. Kassube and Ms. McMurray allegedly left the boy unattended in the bathtub with his 19-month-old brother and have been charged with endangering a child for the older son.
Police searched their apartment and found hundreds of prescription pills.
Judge Jack Skeen Jr., of the 241st District Court, said prosecutors agreed with defense attorney Clifton Roberson to recommend that the sentences Skeen assesses for the three offenses Kassube pleaded guilty to will be served at the same time. But the attorneys did not recommend a sentence to the court.
Kassube faces a range of two to 20 years in prison for the manslaughter charge, two to 10 years in prison for the evading arrest with a vehicle charge and five years to life in prison for the possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver charge.
Kassube also admitted his guilt in three additional felony cases — endangering a child and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver — which will be dismissed because of his guilty pleas in the other cases.
Skeen will sentence the defendant on Aug. 11.
Ms. McMurray has been convicted of possessing a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a jury. She is awaiting trial on charges of manslaughter and endangering a child.
Ms. McMurray has been convicted of possessing a controlled substance and was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a jury. She is awaiting trial on charges of manslaughter and endangering a child.
Assistant Smith County District Attorney Zach Davis is prosecuting the case.
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