Latest information on the Diana Pier Murder Case
Recap:
On August 5th Williamson County Detectives released a statement regarding the investigation of a homicide that occurred on August 4th, 2022, at approximately 8:45 pm. Williamson County received a 911 call regarding a shooting in the 4500 block of County Road 245, outside the City of Florence, in Northwestern Williamson County. On deputies’ arrival, they found a 70-year-old female deceased on the roadway. They also asked for the public’s help and for information on a gray or silver sedan that was seen in the area at the time of the shooting.
The victim’s identity was released several days later on August 8th as 70-year-old, Diana Lynn Pier of Florence, Texas, formally a resident of Round Rock, Texas. Diana, her husband, and their children had lived and worked in Round Rock. The children attend and graduated from Round Rock ISD schools. Dianna was an active member of the Saint William Catholic Church for many years before moving Florence area.
Williamson County Sheriff’s Department held a press conference in Georgetown, on August 11th, one week later to discuss the deadly shooting of Pier in Florence on August 4th. In addition to the multiple detectives who are investigating the shooting, several members of Pier’s Family were present.
At the press conference Commander John Foster, with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, revealed that they were still developing leads. They also announced that Williamson County Crime Stoppers was offering a $5,000 reward for information and an anonymous person, had stepped forward and offered an additional $25,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible for this crime.
“We believe this was an unprovoked, random act of violence. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the support that the Williamson County community has shown towards the solving of this tragic crime” said Foster. “Diana had been visiting a family member in Round Rock and was returning to her home in Florence when she was shot and killed.” Foster also stated that the exact reason Pier was shot was not known, but the medical examiner confirmed Pier died from a gunshot wound.
On August 13th, in a media release, the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department stated that at approximately 3:00 am on August 13, 2022, Williamson County Detectives had arrested 26-year-old Joshua Anthony Gilbreath from Pflugerville, Texas for the August 4th, 2022, murder of Diana Lynn Pier of Florence, Texas. Gilbreath was turned over to Williamson County Detectives by the United States Marshal’s Office after they located him in a parking lot at 2051 Gattis School Rd in Round Rock, TX. Gilbreath was charged with murder and was taken into custody without incident and held on a one-million-dollar bond.
According to an arrest Affidavit, on the evening of August 4th, a witness living in the area of the shooting on CR 245 stated that she saw a silver sedan with its flashers on, parked in the southbound lane of CR 245. She observed a vehicle driven by 70-year-old Diana Lynn Pier, drive past the silver sedan and pull into a driveway area. The witness stated she then saw someone running from the rear of Pier’s car to the silver sedan, which was still parked on the roadway with its flashers on. The silver sedan then sped off “at a high rate of speed”.
After the silver sedan sped off, the witness walked to the end of her driveway and saw a woman lying in the roadway. The woman lying on the roadway was later identified as Pier. Investigators also found a shell casing in the road near Pier’s body.
Information in the affidavit also stated Gilbreath bought a used pistol in Pflugerville on July 29 from a local gun shop. Investigators also obtained photos of the cartridges Gilbreath purchased that same day, and they matched the cartridge found at the crime scene in Florence.
At that time the exact reason Pier was shot was not released but the medical examiner has confirmed Pier died from a gunshot wound.
In addition to that evidence, the affidavit stated that Gilbreath’s phone confirmed that he was in that area at the time of the shooting and the affidavit, on August 11th, revealed that a friend of Gilbreath called the police and said that Gilbreath had told him about the shooting, while at a bar, and divulged details about the shooting.
The long wait for justice
Joshua Gilbreath, was charged with Pier’s murder in August of 2022 and it has been all most a year and a half since the shooting and still no trial.
According to a statement from the Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick, the Williamson County prosecutor missed the 90-day deadline to indict Gilbreath. The Williamson County’s District Attorney removed the individual responsible for the failure to meet the deadline and appointed the new Prosecutor
At a Status Hearing on December 5th, a Williamson County Judge reduced Gilbreath’s bond, at the request of Gilbreath’s new attorney. The defendant’s bond was reduced from a $1 Million dollar bond to a $250,000 dollar bond and Gilbreath’s family was able to procure the amount necessary to get Gilbreath released. The records show that the Gilbreath was released December 13th and was allowed to live at home and had to wear an ankle monitor.
Records show that on March 3, 2023, a new Bench Warrant for Gilbreath was issued to Joshua for violating the terms of his Bond. Gilbreath was arrested again and the Judge on the case increased his bail to $2,000,000. Gilbreath has remained in The Williamson County Jail since then.
The records also show that Joshua’s attorney requested an Order of incompetency to Stand Trial in April of 2023. In September of 2023, a Judgment of Restoring Competency was issued.
Current:
The multiple trial dates have been set and canceled. The latest trial date set for February 2024 has been canceled due to a much delayed mental evaluation of Gilbreath by the defense attorney’s expert only being delivered to the Williamson County Prosecutor days before the trial. The Prosecutors have reviewed the evaluation and have asked the Judge to give them time to have a second mental health expert evaluate Gilbreath. The next trial day has been set for May 10th.
Sadly, all the delays, court appearances, missed steps and unanswered questions have had a visible impact on Diana’s family members and her friends. In addition to having to live without Diana in their lives, they have to deal with still not finding closure on this horrible, senseless act that happened almost a year and a half ago.