FORT WORTH -- A Burleson man was beaten, tortured and killed last month by three men who claim membership in a violent white supremacist group because they believed he had falsely boasted of being a fellow member, according to Tarrant County court documents released Monday and a spokesman for the Tarrant County Sheriff's Department.
The decomposing remains of Earnest R. Lackey, 34, were found Aug. 2 in a field in far northwest Tarrant County near Eagle Mountain Lake. The Tarrant County medical examiner's office identified Lackey last week.The suspects were in the Tarrant County Jail on Monday, charged with murder in Lackey's death, which authorities believe occurred July 7.The suspects were identified as Jimmy Lee Riddle, 42, of Euless; Ronnie Wayne Freeman Jr., 32, of Fort Worth; and Staten William Corbett, 45, of Haltom City. Bail was set at $100,000 each.The three were already in jail on unrelated charges when they were charged with Lackey's slaying. Freeman was arrested July 17 on suspicion of assault with bodily injury; Corbett on Aug. 6 on a parole violation; and Riddle on Aug. 8 on suspicion of making a terroristic threat and contempt of court for nonpayment of child support.On Aug. 2, a woman called 911 shortly before 5:30 p.m. to report that she had found remains south of the 5400 block of Crest Drive, officials reported.Authorities believe that Lackey was tortured and killed July 7 in a mobile home in rural northwest Tarrant County."We developed information that placed these three men inside that trailer home," sheriff's department spokesman Terry Grisham said Monday, referring to Riddle, Freeman and Corbett. "Witnesses provided investigators with information about their association" with the white supremacist group.Domingo Ramirez Jr., 817-390-7763Twitter: @mingoramirezjrHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
