SWEETWATER, Texas — A Nolan County jury found Markes Buchanan guilty in the 2019 capital murder of Tashaun Beavers Thursday. On Friday, Buchanan was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In November 2019, Beavers was robbed and murdered in his Sweetwater home. Buchanan was arrested and charged with capital murder.
On Monday, Oct. 4, 2022, Buchanan went to trial for the charges. Nolan County District Attorney Ricky Thompson and Assistant District Attorney Jordan Magee presented evidence in a Nolan County courtroom, including testimony from several members of the Sweetwater Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
The trial concluded Thursday, Oct. 6, with the jury finding Buchanan guilty on the capital murder charge.
"I am very pleased with the jury's verdict,” Sweetwater Police Chief Bryan Sheridan said in a release from the City of Sweetwater. “It sends a powerful message that this type of crime will not be tolerated in Nolan County. It is important that people know if you commit a heinous crime like this in our community that you will be held accountable. The District Attorney's office did an amazing job presenting this case. I am also very proud of how local and state law enforcement agencies and personnel worked together to accomplish this."
