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New suspect arrested in Montgomery County murder after previous man released thanks to proven alibi

Isaiah Mayham (Montgomery County Sheriff's Office)

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – Several weeks after a man’s alibi helped prove his innocence in a murder in Montgomery County, authorities have arrested a new suspect in the case.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says 18-year-old Isaiah Mayham is now charged with murder in connection to the death of John Dennis Holmes III.

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Holmes, 19, was found dead in the middle of a Spring area street in the 300 block of Raypine Drive on July 16. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.

Initially, deputies arrested 20-year-old Mark Crooms in connection to Holmes’ death, but video surveillance helped prove Crooms’ alibi that he was at his home in the Humble area around the same time the murder happened.

The sheriff’s office said evidence then led them to Mayham as being a suspect. Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man matching Mayham’s description fleeing the scene immediately following the shooting, the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives were also able to obtain video footage near the crime scene showing a man with dreadlocks, wearing distinctive clothing, and holding firearms consistent with those used in the shooting. Additional footage and photos showed Mayham has worn the same clothing historically.

Messages were also obtained between Holmes and Mayham showing the two had planned to meet up at the exact same place where Holmes was shot.

“Additionally, casings of the same caliber were discovered near the apartment residence within the Rayford’s Edge apartment complex, where Mayham was staying. A comparative forensic analysis confirmed that the casings found near the victim and those recovered from the apartment complex were fired from the same firearm,” the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff’s office said detectives learned Mayham was out on bond for a different murder charge in Harris County at the time of the shooting.

“Using GPS data from Mayham’s court-ordered ankle monitor, Detectives confirmed Mayham’s presence at the crime scene at the time of the shooting. Additionally, GPS data showed that he fled the scene immediately afterward and traveled in the direction where he was subsequently caught on video surveillance. This data provided crucial, time-stamped evidence of his involvement in the crime,” the sheriff’s office said.

A warrant was issued for Mayham’s arrest, and he was taken into custody without incident.


About the Author

Christian Terry covered digital news in Tyler and Wichita Falls before returning to the Houston area where he grew up. He is passionate about weather and the outdoors and often spends his days off on the water fishing.

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