Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office
Press Release
May 19,
2023
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fort Bend County Jury Assesses
22-Year Prison Sentence for Murder Defendant
Richmond, TX – Jenise Leann Spruiell was convicted by a
jury on May 15, 2023 for Murder and sentenced her to 22 years in prison a few
days later. The 29 year-old Spring woman
was prosecuted for her role in in the shooting death of Cameron Deal.
Evidence
presented at trial revealed that Cameron Deal was shot multiple times in a
hotel parking lot in Stafford on November 11, 2019. Surveillance video from the property showed Mr.
Deal walking towards a vehicle parked in the parking lot when a second vehicle
appeared. An assailant exited this second
vehicle and began shooting Mr. Deal until Mr. Deal fell to the ground. He was pronounced dead at the scene. While Stafford detectives were initially
unable to identify any suspects, the evidence suggested that the shooting was a
retaliation killing for an incident several days prior where Mr. Deal was
implicated in an aggravated robbery.
Through a collection of records, communications, and surveillance video,
detectives identified Jenise Spruiell as the driver of the first car. Her purpose was to lure Mr. Deal out of his
hotel room moments before the second vehicle arrived containing the shooter.
Although
the defendant was not the shooter in this case, she played a crucial role in
the murder. The jury’s verdict in this
case sends a message that taking justice into your own hands will not be
tolerated in Fort Bend County, especially when it jeopardizes the safety of the
community.
“This
was a hard case tried on circumstantial evidence,” said District Attorney Brian
Middleton. “But let this be a warning to
those who would break the law where there is no witness. If the evidence is convincing, our
highly-skilled prosecutors will hold you accountable. You are best off just not
breaking the law.”
Spruiell
was tried in the 268th District Court before Presiding Judge Steve
Rogers. Murder is a first-degree felony
punishable by 5-99 years, or life, in prison and a fine up to $10,000. The defendant must serve half of her sentence
before she can be considered for parole.
While Spruiell’s
conviction is important to ensure justice for Mr. Deal’s death, other suspects remain
at large who have not been identified.
We encourage anyone with information regarding Mr. Deal’s murder to
contact that Stafford Police Department or Fort Bend County Crime
Stoppers.
