Warden Wallace Pack, a 55-year-old white male, was tragically killed on April 4, 1981, at the Ellis I Unit in Huntsville, Texas. The incident occurred when a prisoner managed to gain control of one of the officers' pistols and shot both Warden Pack and Officer Billy Moore. The prisoner, Eroy Brown, was subsequently acquitted of the charges on the grounds of self-defense but remained in custody on charges of burglary.
The case of Warden Pack's death was highly controversial and garnered
significant attention. Prosecutors argued that Brown killed Pack out of anger over a denied furlough request. However, Brown testified that he feared for his life during the struggle, which led to the drowning of Warden Pack. The jury, convinced by Brown's testimony, acquitted him of capital murder charges. This was the second trial for Brown, as the first trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury.
The acquittal of Eroy Brown in the death of Warden Pack led to widespread debate and scrutiny of the Texas prison system. Brown's defense argued that he was a victim of aggressive prison officials, and his acquittal highlighted issues within the prison system. Despite being acquitted of the murder charges, Brown continued to serve time in federal custody for a separate robbery conviction. His case remains a significant and controversial chapter in the history of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
