Tad Cullum Murder Trial Will Begin in 2027
The Amarillo court reset the death penalty trial to February 2027 following a defense attorney's surgery.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Crime — General
The murder trial for Tad Cullum, who is accused of killing Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley in March 2024, has been rescheduled for February 23, 2027. The court granted the delay due to a defense attorney requiring immediate surgery for a serious medical condition.
Why it matters
This delay pushes back the proceedings for a high-profile death penalty case that also involves four other co-defendants. The court remains active in processing filings regarding evidence and sentencing procedures while waiting for the new trial start date.
The court officially reset the trial date for the death penalty case to February 23, 2027. The proceedings follow the 2024 murder charges against Tad Cullum and his four co-defendants.
The players
Tad Cullum
He is the defendant in a capital murder case involving the deaths of two women in early 2024.
Veronica Butler
She was one of the two victims allegedly murdered in the incident in March 2024.
Jilian Kelley
She was one of the two victims allegedly murdered in the incident in March 2024.
Cole Twombly
He is a co-defendant in the murder case with a trial currently scheduled for September 2027.
The details
The state has requested that the court overrule defense motions that would allow Cullum to make an unsworn statement to the jury. Prosecutors also intend to introduce testimony from Paul Grice and Cora Twombly to establish the motive for the killings of Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley.
Timeline
March 2024: Veronica Butler and Jilian Kelley were allegedly murdered.
September 25, 2026: Deadline for the state's synopsis of witness testimony.
February 23, 2027: Jury selection and the trial for Tad Cullum are scheduled to begin.
September 2027: The trial for co-defendant Cole Twombly is scheduled to take place.
Legal Context
This case follows the established procedural requirements for death penalty trials in Texas courts. The delay reflects the judicial system's mandate to ensure adequate legal representation when serious health crises impact defense teams in high-stakes capital litigation.
The extended timeline for this trial means that legal proceedings and associated security measures in the Amarillo area will remain ongoing through at least late 2027. Local residents should expect continued court activity as the state prepares its case against all five defendants.
The takeaway
Complex death penalty cases often face lengthy scheduling adjustments due to necessary procedural protections for defendants. The public should anticipate a prolonged legal process as the court manages multiple co-defendants and extensive evidentiary motions.
Further reading
For more updates on local judicial proceedings, visit the Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newschannel10.
