Jury finds Dabrett Black guilty of capital murder for killing DPS Trooper

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Dabrett Black, the man accused of killing DPS Trooper Damon Allen on Thanksgiving Day in 2017, was found guilty of capital murder.

Trooper Allen, 41, of Teague was killed while he was sitting in his patrol unit when the driver of a car he pulled over for speeding on Interstate 45 south of Fairfield opened fire with a rifle, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

The two-week trial came to an end Thursday afternoon when a jury confirmed the guilty verdict. Black is now sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The death penalty was taken off the table in exchange for waiving an insanity defense.

Black’s defense spent the week highlighting his mental health, stating he was acting out of self-defense after feeling threatened by the trooper. He suffers from PTSD, a traumatic brain injury, and Schizophrenia, the defense said this impacted his behavior.

Prosecutors said the jury was bound by their oath to find Black guilty. There is footage and images of Black pointing his rifle at Trooper Allen’s patrol vehicle, as well as at a Waller County Deputy after fleeing law enforcement.

Many law enforcement officers were in the courtroom, waiting to hear the results. The guilty verdict put an end to four years of waiting for justice.

Dabrett Black showed very little emotion during this trial except for when he testified in his own defense. Now he has a life sentence after ambushing DPS Trooper Damon Allen during a traffic stop on I-45 near Fairfield.

Many in the courtroom celebrated in silence when the verdict was read including multiple DPS Troopers and members of Allen’s family, some of them crying.

Cameras were briefly allowed after the jury had been excused.

From day one of the trial we knew Dabrett Black shot and killed Trooper Damon Allen and he himself admitted it during the nearly two week trial. Dash camera footage showed Allen’s patrol vehicle being pelted with bullets.

Prosecutors were pleased with the outcome.

“He obviously is a veteran. He served our country. Reasonably honorably... But he is a veteran, you know he obviously has issues. But at the end of the day he is a convicted capital murderer,” said Lisa Tanner, a prosecutor.

“I think it’s huge for the community. I think them being able to move on and get some sort of resolution to this case,” said Brian Evans, Freestone County District Attorney.

The defense made a case for self-defense looking at the trauma and battle scars Black faced as a truck driver on three tours of duty in Iraq.

“I’m not doing good at all knowing that my brother is dealing with mental illness is what’s behind this. It’s hard to see him go through this because I’m older than he is, 10-years-older. But we have to do something so no other family would have to go through,” said LaNell Brown, his sister.

Brown testified on her brother’s behalf. She told us she’s here for Allen’s family, but also advocates for her brother.

“With Trooper Allen’s family, if we, if they need me I‘m there. Because they lost somebody and I know my brother wasn’t in his right mind when he did that, so my heart goes out to that family,” she said.

Freestone County’s District Attorney told us Black has not shown any remorse or apologized to his knowledge. Black can appeal his sentence but it is not automatic.

“I can tell you I felt a sense of relief when the verdict was read. I can tell you that I am proud of the work by our team of prosecutors. I can tell you I’m proud of all the law enforcement officers and their agency that assisted in any way possible. I can tell you that on behalf of Freestone County we appreciate the Brazos County jurors, the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office and their Deputies, Jailers, and Courthouse personnel that handled their duties with courtesy and respect,” said Sheriff Jeremy Shipley of Freestone County.

“What I can’t fathom is the family’s overwhelming feelings and emotions at this time. Over four long years later, the justice system did its job. We Let the judge do his job. Let the lawyers do their jobs. Let the jurors do what they’re appointed to do. The verdict is guilty, and I’m proud for the family that have endured so much,” Shipley said.

Trooper Allen’s son and daughter also gave victim impact statements. His son told Black, “God have mercy on your soul.”

Our story on the trial nearing conclusion can be found here.