Hailey
A woman accused of murdering a senior citizen in Wichita Falls has been released from jail after spending over three months in custody.
Janae Ariana Aragon, who had been held on a $1 million bond, was released this week following procedural delays in the case, according to court documents.
Grand Jury Delay Triggers Release
Aragon’s release was granted after the murder case was not presented to a grand jury for indictment within the legally mandated time frame.
According to Justice of the Peace James Hughes, Texas law requires that a suspect be indicted within 90 days.
Since this deadline had passed, Aragon was freed on a personal recognizance (PR) bond, which allows a defendant to be released based solely on their promise to appear in court, without paying bail.
Backlog in Forensic Testing Cited
The Wichita County District Attorney’s Office explained that the delay was caused by a backlog in forensic and DNA testing at state crime laboratories.
In a public statement, the DA’s office acknowledged the significant wait times for evidence analysis, stating:
“There is significant forensic and DNA testing still pending… Once completed, we will have a full picture of the case and present it to the grand jury.”
Case Background: The Death of James Shierling
Aragon was initially booked into the Wichita County Jail on March 18 for the murder of 70-year-old James Shierling, whose body was discovered on October 26, 2022, inside an apartment on 11th Street in Wichita Falls.
Court records allege that Shierling, who was found dead in his kitchen, may have been in a wheelchair during the fatal stabbing.
Investigators recovered Aragon’s DNA on a partially burned cigarette at the scene.
Additional evidence included a disconnected gas line and a cigarette placed on an unopened can of peas, which authorities suspect may have been an attempt to cause an explosion and destroy evidence—though the gas valve was reportedly in the “off” position at the time.
Suspect’s Prior Record and Restrictions on Release
Court filings also reveal that Aragon had been seen in Shierling’s apartment the day before his death, and she returned to Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly after the incident.
Furthermore, she had been arrested in a separate stabbing case in New Mexico in November 2022, suggesting a possible pattern of violence, according to allegations.
David Bost, Wichita County’s Chief Public Defender, confirmed that Aragon was released after 99 days in custody, per legal requirements.
Her PR bond includes conditions such as wearing an ankle monitor and reporting regularly to her probation officer.
The release of Janae Ariana Aragon underscores the challenges law enforcement faces when lab backlogs delay key forensic testing.
While the investigation into the death of James Shierling remains open, prosecutors have committed to moving forward once all necessary DNA and forensic evidence has been processed.
Until then, Aragon is legally presumed innocent and must comply with the conditions of her release while awaiting further legal action.