Janet Marie Lester, a 74-year-old woman from Navasota, Texas, tragically lost her life on February 10, 2017. The incident occurred at her home on Rolling Acres Road, where she was found deceased on the front porch with a gunshot wound to her abdomen. The authorities identified her as Janet Marie Lester, a common-law spouse involved in a domestic dispute with her partner.
The investigation revealed that Janet Marie Lester was shot by her common-law husband, Robert Thomas Buford Jr., who was 78 years old at the time. Buford was intoxicated during the incident, which followed a verbal argument between the couple at their shared home near Stoneham. Buford was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the shooting death of Janet Marie Lester.
In December 2018, Robert Thomas Buford Jr. was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Buford's appeal against his conviction was denied by the First Court of Appeals, which affirmed the conviction and finalized his sentence. Buford is currently serving his sentence at the Duncan Unit in Diboll, with a projected release date of December 5, 2048, and eligibility for parole beginning December 7, 2033.
The tragic death of Janet Marie Lester highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of addressing such issues within communities. The legal proceedings and subsequent conviction of Robert Thomas Buford Jr. serve as a reminder of the justice system's role in holding individuals accountable for their actions.
