Texarkana, Texas — When Texarkana News reached out to four local attorneys for comment on the Bess Gamble-Williams case, none were willing to speak on the record. It wasn’t until we were referred to a respected attorney based outside Bowie County — who sometimes practices here — that someone finally agreed to review the case and share his thoughts, on the condition of anonymity.
Gamble-Williams lost her case Thursday, June 4, over an alleged trademark infringement involving a $1 flyer in a Bowie County Justice Court bench trial. This came after the court refused to admit phone records she tried to present in her defense.
After reviewing the facts, the attorney did not hold back.
“This one stands out,” he said. “There are several things about how this case was handled that I find highly unusual — especially given who the defendant is.”
Disproportionate Treatment of a Veteran and Community Volunteer
The attorney expressed concern about how a longtime Marine veteran, licensed private investigator (Virginia), and Toys for Tots coordinator was treated in what was a minor Class C misdemeanor.
“She’s a prominent citizen who has spent decades working with children and serving this community,” the attorney said. “The decision to move the case into a full courtroom, with the sheriff and a deputy testifying, seems disproportionate for an offense that normally carries only a fine and no jail time.”
The attorney noted that Gamble-Williams was arrested at the Bowie County Courthouse while attempting to address the warrant related to her License to Carry permit. He also pointed out that she spent approximately 24 hours in custody despite the charge not carrying a jail sentence.
Court’s Refusal to Admit Evidence
One of the attorney’s primary concerns was the court’s decision not to allow certain evidence to be presented.
According to the attorney, Gamble-Williams attempted to introduce phone records and notes showing she had been contacted by a Marine Corps Reserve lieutenant and a Harley-Davidson representative the day before the warrant was issued. The attorney stated that this type of evidence is generally not considered hearsay when offered by the person who received the calls.
“Not allowing her to present that information raises questions about whether she was given a full opportunity to defend herself,” the attorney said.
The attorney also noted that police and fire officials had contacted Gamble-Williams weeks earlier regarding Toys for Tots distribution and were aware of her role as a local point of contact. He said this context could have been relevant to understanding her actions.
Questions About Fairness and Context
He noted that Gamble-Williams has drawn criticism for her activism, including her work to remove the Confederate Mother’s Statue in downtown Texarkana.
The attorney made it clear that he disagrees with Gamble-Williams’ views on the statute issue. However, he emphasized that all individuals are entitled to basic fairness in the legal process.
“Most police officers and judges are generally good and decent people,” he said. “But sometimes personal feelings or other factors can influence how a case is handled, even if unintentionally.”
The attorney observed that cases involving the use of a logo on a flyer are rarely prosecuted criminally, particularly when no money was collected and no actual harm occurred. He noted that this case stood out because of the formal courtroom setting, the public statements made by law enforcement, and the limitations placed on the evidence Gamble-Williams was permitted to present.
Advice for the Appeal
The attorney strongly encouraged Gamble-Williams to appeal the conviction. He noted that she has 10 days to file an appeal and has access to legal support through her nephew, who is a respected attorney in Dallas.
If the case moves to County Court for a new trial, the attorney offered the following recommendations:
- Call key witnesses — He advised that Gamble-Williams should consider calling the Marine Corps Reserve lieutenant and the Harley-Davidson representative as witnesses. Their testimony could help establish why they contacted her and what they asked her to do.
- Seek admission of previously excluded evidence — The attorney recommended that she argue for the admission of the phone records, screenshots, and notes that were not allowed in the first trial.
- Request a jury trial — He suggested that requesting a jury in County Court could provide a fresh perspective on the facts and the proportionality of the response.
- Demand full discovery — The attorney said Gamble-Williams should seek complete discovery, including any complaints filed against her and communications between the sheriff’s office and other parties involved.
- Focus on fairness and proportionality — He recommended framing the defense around the minor nature of the charge, the lack of any financial harm, and the context of her long-standing role with Toys for Tots.
“This is the type of case where a fresh look in County Court could make a difference,” the attorney said. “She should not go into the new trial the same way she went into the first one.”
Gamble-Williams has indicated she plans to appeal. If she does, the case will be heard again in County Court as a trial de novo, meaning it will start over with the opportunity to present additional evidence and request a jury.
PLEASE NOTE: This article is based on two prior Texarkana News reports and an off-the-record interview with a practicing attorney familiar with Bowie County courts. It contains news analysis and opinion by the author. The above analysis and opinions are based primarily on information provided by Mrs. Gamble-Williams and the attorney’s review of the facts as presented in our prior reporting.
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