Christopher Travis Wrinkle, a 31-year-old male from Leonard, Texas, tragically lost his life on October 24, 2021. The incident occurred during a hunting trip, where Wrinkle was fatally shot in the chest. The Fannin County Sheriff's Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 1:27 AM, reporting a shooting victim in the 4400 block of FM 1553, north of Leonard.
Upon arrival, deputies discovered Wrinkle deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
The investigation revealed inconsistencies in the statements provided by Jeromy Joe Spearman, who was hunting with Wrinkle at the time of the incident. As a result, investigators developed probable cause and obtained arrest warrants for Spearman. He was charged with manslaughter and tampering with physical evidence. Spearman, a resident of Leonard, Texas, was taken into custody and remains in the Fannin County Detention Center awaiting bond. The case has been filed with the Fannin County Criminal District Attorney's Office for prosecution.
If convicted, Spearman faces up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for manslaughter, as well as up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for tampering with physical evidence. The charges are serious felony offenses, and the case highlights the tragic consequences of the incident, compounded by Spearman's failure to report the truth at the time of the shooting.
