Chad Earl Carr was released from the Wood County Jail Nov. 30 after a Wood County Grand Jury decided there was not enough evidence to indict him for the 2007 murder of Brittany McGlone.

Carr was arrested in September.

Wood County Sheriff Kelly Cole was surprised at the decision.

“It’s a shock to me with the evidence that we saw and the evidence we believe was presented that this was the outcome,” Cole said. “The evidence was overwhelming, and I will continue to look into this murder case.”

Brittany’s sister, Hope McGlone, spoke of her disappointment in the district attorney’s office in a television interview.

“Honestly, frustrated is not even the right word,” she said. “I’m enraged. They’re responsible for what happened today. I’m just as confused as the sheriff. I mean, he’s done everything he’s been able to do. He did his part, the district attorney did not do their part and did not come through.”

On the Facebook page “Who Killed Brittany McGlone?” started by Brittany’s mother, Patricia Tice, it stated, “We’ve held back for 15 years for fear we would jeopardize the case and trial if there was ever to be one. That’s over, the fight is on. Keep an eye out for what’s to come. I will be posting pieces of evidence and reports that have yet to be disclosed to the public. Since the system that is supposed to work for us has failed us and the community, we will take it into our own hands and show the public the truth so they can see it for themselves.” 

Wood County Assistant District Attorney Logan Sawyer presented the case with District Attorney Angela Albers.

“The one thing I would say is that it is not correct that it was dismissed,” Sawyer noted. “The grand jury, when they no-bill something, all that means is that they didn’t believe that there was sufficient evidence and probable cause existed to return an indictment at this time.” 

However, the Wood County public jail records showed that the charges were dismissed.

Albers said, “What I do is just present everything. There was another witness in there for almost two hours. All I do is present all the evidence I have – the good, the bad and the ugly, all of it – and then let them make a decision one way or the other. I always respect the decisions of the grand jury. They are made up from citizens all over Wood County and I respect what they do even if sometimes I may not like it or agree with it, I still respect it. We have the greatest justice system in the world. It’s a no-bill and they can keep working on it and try to build a stronger case.”

The murder of McGlone was committed May 4, 2007 at a residence in the Lake Winnsboro area. She had severe blunt force trauma to her head and face area. Carr had been investigated as a suspect at the time of the murder, but no charges were filed. 

Carr has been convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and served time in prison in another case in which he struck a female over the head with a blunt object, similar to the manner in which McGlone was killed.

For over a decade the case remained cold until Cole became sheriff in 2021 and reopened the case. On Sept. 11, Sheriff’s Capt. Michael Chilson and Texas Ranger John Vance traveled to Dallas and arrested Carr and brought him back to Wood County.

Wood County Justice of the Peace Tony Gilbreath set Carr’s bond at $1 million at that time. Carr had been in the Wood County Jail until his release Nov. 30.

According to Carr’s arrest affidavit, during the execution of a search warrant at Carr’s home May 21, 2007, items taken as evidence included two pairs of women’s panties, one the same size as his girlfriend and the other the same size as McGlone’s, and two pieces of clothing with possible blood.