Euless gang member goes on trial in 2016 slaying of Hurst woman

In 2005, George E. Folau basked in the glory of a state football championship as an all-district offensive lineman for Euless Trinity. The following year, he graduated.

Now he is on trial on a murder charge in the fatal shooting of Loan Nguyen, 35, of Hurst in May 2016. Jury selection began Monday afternoon in Criminal District Court No. 396. Folau, 29, also faces an aggravated robbery charge.

Folau was arrested at an apartment property across the street from the Sawgrass Apartment, where the victim lived, after he was found lying on the ground with gunshot wounds.

A Sawgrass resident told the Star-Telegram at the time that he had been watching television when he heard three or four loud gunshots outside. He went out onto his balcony and saw a man holding a rifle with a laser scope.

He recognized the man as a Sawgrass resident. He said he asked what had happened, and the man responded, "Someone shot my girlfriend."

He said the man took a few steps, aimed and fired a few rounds toward the complex across the street.

Hurst police have said the shootings were not random.

Folau has been free since posting bail shortly after his arrest. He has been described as a debt collector for drug dealers in Tarrant County and an associate of Tongan Crips and Puro Tango Blast, street and prison gangs, according to Tarrant County criminal court documents.

His criminal history began in September 2002 when he assaulted someone with his fists, according to court documents.

Just days before Nguyen's killing on May 10, 2016, Folau is accused of transporting and delivering drugs in Tarrant County, breaking into a residence and stealing items, and threatening a person with a weapon, according to the court records.

Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday morning.

This story was originally published March 19, 2018 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Euless gang member goes on trial in 2016 slaying of Hurst woman."