Published: November 18, 2008 09:26 pm      

Life on the run ends for Orangefield man

ORANGEFIELD — Timothy Michael’s brief life on the run from law enforcement ended Monday evening after he was arrested in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Michael, 44, of Orangefield, is accused of being involved in the fatal shooting of his wife of about one year, 39-year-old Theresa “Doucet” Michael.

“We are so excited and now we can get it going again,” said Julie Doucet, Theresa’s daughter.

After receiving warrants for Timothy Michael’s arrest, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office received a confidential tip stating that he was staying at the Rodeo Inn in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Information was sent to authorities in Wyoming who attempted to serve the warrant. After arriving at the motel, authorities discovered that Timothy had checked out two days prior. However, the motel clerk had registered the vehicle that was driven by Timothy Michael upon his check in. Wyoming authorities placed an attempt to locate on the vehicle.

Monday, at about 10 p.m., Wyoming authorities located the vehicle and subsequently arrested Timothy Michael without incident, according to information received from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Timonthy Michael attended a hearing Tuesday morning and has waived extradition to Texas.

“We hope to have him back in Texas as soon as possible,” said Lt. Pete Kendall, support division of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Timothy Michael failed to appear Friday in front of Judge Buddie Hahn in 260th District Court to announce whether he was going to take the state’s plea deal or go to trial on charges of voluntary manslaughter and driving while intoxicated with a child passenger.

As a result, Hahn revoked his $25,000 bond and ordered warrants for his arrest. A new bond amount totaling $300,000 for all the three charges was then set by Hahn.

Julie Doucet hopes this time Timothy Michael will not be able to bond out of jail and will be in court as required.

If convicted of the second degree felony charges, Timothy Michael faces up to 20 years in prison.

According to reports from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the couple was at their home on Kyle Road in Orangefield when the shooting occurred. Timothy Michael called 911 from his home, claiming his wife had been accidentally shot.

Deputies arrived about 2 p.m. Oct. 2006 to discover Theresa’s body near the back door with gunshot wounds to her facial area. Investigators believe Timothy Michael discharged the gun that fired the fatal shot to his wife.

Timothy Michael was attempting to give her CPR. In addition, emergency personnel attempted to revive her, but we unable to do so.

He also has two pending counts, Oct. 2006 and April 2007, of driving while intoxicated with a child passenger against him.

“When he appears in court, we will definitely be there,” Julie Doucet said.

Family members and friends are planning to wear silver ribbons with a blue “T” on them in memory of Theresa.

“We have been waiting a long time and my mother deserves justice,” she added.