The conviction of Preston (Tyler) Quain, 18 of Pottsboro, for the murder of Danny Joe Rolen Jr. in Grayson County, Texas, has been upheld by the Texas Court of Appeals in Dallas. 

In December of 2007, Rolen was found lying in a pool of blood on the floor of the trailer home in Pottsboro where he lived.  During trial it was shown he had been struck in the back of his head with a hammer and stabbed in excess of 15 times, some of the wounds being in the back. The crime scene had been staged after his death to look like a suicide. 

Quain was found guilty by a jury of the murder in October, 2008, and sentenced to 99 years in prison.  He has been incarcerated awaiting the ruling of the appellate court, who last week returned their opinion that the conviction and sentence should stand.  On appeal, Quain’s lawyer argued that the trial judge should not have allowed Texas Ranger Brad Oliver to testify about blood spatter evidence at the crime scene, and that the judge should have disqualified a juror who personally knew some of the witnesses at trial. 

“The overwhelming evidence of that night convicted Preston Quain; the brutality of the murder earned him a 99 year sentence; and the diligence and hard work of everyone involved resulted in both being upheld,” said Kerye Ashmore, First Assistant District Attorney, who, along with Assistant District Attorney Brett Smith, prosecuted the case. 

“Quain is a person who just cannot be free in society with the rest of us,” said Ashmore. “The loss to the Rolen family can’t be mended but this sentence shows them that Grayson County doesn’t hold the value of a life lightly.”  

Quain, who was 16 at the time of the murder and certified to stand trial as an adult, will not become eligible for parole until the year 2038.  

Assistant District Attorney Karla Hackett represented the state in the appeal. Quain was represented by attorney Jack McGowen at trial and on appeal.