New Trial Ordered In East Texas Murder Conviction

A judge’s error in giving instructions to a jury has resulted in a new trial for an East Texas woman convicted in Panola County of murder. Deborah McFadden Smiley, of Nacogdoches, was found guilty last February of murdering her boyfriend Edward George, Jr. after he had poured gasoline in her SUV and attacked her while she was trying to move out. While George was going back to the SUV, McFadden shot George several times.