A man has been charged in connection with the 2010 beating death of James Terry, a Channelview resident. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced the news on Tuesday, revealing that Jerry Fain, who is already serving a life sentence for strangling his girlfriend in 2014, was charged with Terry’s murder on Monday.
The Murder of James Terry
According to investigators, James Terry was bludgeoned to death in his trailer on Monmouth Street in Channelview on October 5, 2010. Fain, who was already known to the authorities for his past criminal behavior, was suspected by Terry’s daughter, Leona Terry, from the very beginning.
She believes that Fain’s history of violence and their prior disagreement were key factors in her suspicion.
Leona Terry described Fain as a “psychopath,” and she revealed that her father didn’t know him personally but was aware of him, especially given that Fain had a criminal record, including being a convicted sex offender for assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
A Long Wait for Justice
The investigation into James Terry’s death took several years. The sheriff’s office had been considering Fain as a suspect since 2021, when a new lead emerged. That same year, Leona Terry appeared on the podcast “The Murder In My Family,” and soon after, detectives informed her that Fain had confessed to the murder.
Despite the confession, it took until this year for authorities to gather enough evidence to officially charge Fain. Leona Terry expressed her gratitude that the case was being actively pursued, even though the investigation took time.
What’s Next for Jerry Fain?
Fain is currently serving a life sentence for the 2014 murder of his girlfriend, and he is eligible for parole in 2044. Leona Terry is hopeful that if Fain is convicted of her father’s murder, it may lead to a more severe punishment, including the possibility of a death penalty case.
She stated, “He is where he needs to be, and hopefully, with this being added, we can possibly maybe go for a death penalty case. You never know.”
This case highlights the long wait for justice, but it also brings hope to the family of James Terry. As authorities continue to build the case against Jerry Fain, Leona Terry holds on to the hope that her father’s death will not go unpunished.
The investigation into Fain’s involvement in Terry’s death has given the family a new sense of closure, but they are still hoping for the most severe outcome in court.
