Joshua Gilbreath found guilty of murdering elderly Florence woman

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX – A Williamson County jury has returned a verdict in the murder trial of Joshua Gilbreath.

On Tuesday, September 17, Joshua Gilbreath was found guilty of murdering 70-year-old Diana Pier near Florence in August 2022.

Sentencing will begin on Wednesday, September 18. Gilbreath faces life in prison.

Joshua Gilbreath trial: jurors deliberate

Jury deliberations have begun in the murder trial of Joshua Gilbreath. Defense attorneys closed the trial by arguing that Gilbreath was “legally insane” when he shot and killed an elderly Williamson County woman in 2022.

Pier was found dead on a country road. Investigators believe she had stopped to check on Gilbreath who had pulled into a driveway.

Prosecutors determined that Gilbreath was angry at the time about losing his job. Gilbreath’s gun has also been linked to the killing.

Defense attorneys closed the trial Tuesday by arguing that Gilbreath was “legally insane” when he killed Pier.

Joshua Gilbreath Murder Trial, Day 5

Testimony in the Joshua Gilbreath murder trial has resumed in earnest, with testimony on day five taking an unexpected turn. Prosecutors are now on the defensive after Gilbreath’s lawyers argued he was insane at the time of the killing.

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The jury began its deliberations on Tuesday afternoon and continued into the evening.

The jury had four options: return a verdict of guilty on the grounds of murder or insanity or find the defendant innocent on the grounds of self-defense or insanity.

The murder trial ended with the jury deciding which mental health expert to believe. One said Gilbreath was legally insane when he shot Pier, and another said his actions were caused by alcohol and drug abuse.

In closing arguments, prosecutors said one thing was clear: He was guilty. The defense argued that he should be acquitted because Gilbreath was legally insane when he killed Pier.