UPDATE 2:30 p.m.: On Friday, Nov. 14 Billy Wall was found guilty on six counts of cruelty to animals. Attorneys agreed to a two-year deferred sentence. Should Wall violate probation he faces one year in county jail for each count.
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A trial is underway for a former Burnet County commissioner, who was charged with livestock cruelty after being accused of starving his cattle.
A jury was seated in the case of Billy Wall on Nov. 10 followed by opening statements in the Burnet County Courthouse on the square.
To avoid conflict of interest, an attorney from the Williamson County Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case in the county courtroom, along with a visiting judge, officials say. Wall faces eight misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals, a class A misdemeanor. If convicted, he faces fines of up to $4,000 and as much as a year in county jail on each count.
In September 2022, Burnet County Sheriff’s deputies with the assistance of contracted cattle wranglers seized more than 80 head of cattle from Wall’s land.
Wall’s livestock were located on approximately 500 acres in the 6000 block of W. FM 243, just outside Bertram as well as just off CR 336 and 337.
At the time, Wall told that the sheriff’s deputies exacerbated what he described as a yearlong battle with the elements.
“With no grass in the pastures meaning hay, no crops in the field – that can also mean corn and milo – how it affects me is the feed that feeds my animals,” Wall said at the time.
However, officials say “complaints from the public,” alleging “malnourishment” prompted the warrants and raid. At least three of the cattle died within a week following the seizure.
The cattle were transferred to the Burnet County Fairgrounds and cared for by Burnet veterinarian Dr. Dan McBride.
McBride was scheduled to testify on Thursday, Nov. 13, this week.
Eventually, Wall agreed to surrender the remaining 79 head of cattle to the Jordan Cattle Auction in San Saba County to assist the county in recouping the cost.
Officials said they fetched a net gain of $45,081.84 compared to the $63,233 needed to cover the cost of housing, feeding and veterinarian bills accumulated over time by the county.
This week’s trial also included testimony by former Burnet County livestock deputy Jason Jewett; retired Texas A&M professor Joe Paschal, a cattle and beef expert; and a Williamson County deputy who assisted in the raid.
The trial was continuing on Nov. 13, after print deadline.
