Charles Mamou

Case record

Identification

• Name: Charles Mamou
• TDCJ Number: 999333
• Date of birth: 12/06/1974
• Received: 11/17/1999
• Age at receipt: 24
• Education level: 12
• Date of offense: 12/07/1998
• Age at the offense: 24
• County: Harris
• Race: Native
• Gender: Male
• Hair color: Black
• Eye color: Brown
• Height: 5' 9"
• Weight: 166
• Native County: Native
• Native State: Louisiana
• Prior occupation: Lafayette Parish Louisiana Laborer
• Prior prison record: None

The offence

On 12/07/98, in Houston, Texas, Mamou shot and killed a black male during a drug deal. Two other male victims were also shot during the incident. After the shootings, Mamou got in the group’s car and left, with Mary Carmouche still in the back seat. He drove Carmouche to an abandoned house and shot and killed her; her body was discovered two days later.

Mary Carmouche was 17 years old.

Mamou opened fire when Carmouche’s group arrived, shooting:

• Terrance Gibson, 22 — Gibson died from his wounds.
• Dion Holley, 21 — Holley recovered.
• Kevin Walter, 24 — Walter recovered.

Prosecutors said they believed Mamou and a member of Carmouche’s group might have schemed to steal from the other. Prosecutors also said Mamou forced Carmouche to perform a sex act and later shot her.

Investigation

The case was presented as involving a bloody shootout during an apparent botched drug sale.

Arrest

Mamou fled to his home state of Louisiana.

Trial

A State District Judge, Mike Wilkinson, read the sentence imposed by jurors on November 17, 1999.

Jurors convicted Charles Mamou Jr. for the slaying of Mary Carmouche. Prosecutors said Mamou opened fire when Carmouche’s group arrived and that Carmouche was later shot after being forced to perform a sex act.

During closing arguments, defense attorneys Wayne Hill and Kurt Wentz argued that Mamou’s connection to an earlier homicide was “nebulous” and that Mamou was “seduced” by the drug underworld.

Prosecutor Claire Connors disagreed and called Mamou a “vicious, ruthless, cold-blooded” murderer.

Sentencing

Mamou was sentenced to death on November 17, 1999.

“vicious, ruthless, cold-blooded”

(Claire Connors called Charles Mamou Jr. a “vicious, ruthless, cold-blooded” murderer.)

Appeals

None described.

Other details

• Co-defendants: None
• Race and gender of victim: black female and black male
• Mamou was accused of an August 1998 murder in Lafayette, but the charge was later dismised.
• A witness testified Mamou was the triggerman in a Sept. 5, 1998 slaying of Anthony Williams, 27, in Houston.
• Mamou remains charged in Gibson’s death.
• Mamou has not been charged in connection with Williams’ death.
• Defense attorneys Wayne Hill and Kurt Wentz argued during closing arguments that Mamou was “seduced” by the drug underworld.
• Defense attorneys Wayne Hill and Kurt Wentz argued during closing arguments that Mamou’s connection to the Williams killing was “nebulous”.