Tex McIver out of prison nearly 1 year since plea deal in wife Diane McIver’s death

ATLANTA — Former prominent attorney Claud “Tex” McIver has been released from prison nearly one year after he pleaded guilty to lesser charges in the death of his wife, Diane McIver.

The Georgia Department of Corrections confirmed to Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne that McIver was released from the Augusta State Medical Prison on Thursday.

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McIver, his wife Diane, and their friend Dani Jo Carter were heading home from a party in 2016 when Tex McIver shot Diane McIver in the back as he sat behind her in the car.

Tex McIver claimed that his gun accidentally went off. Diane McIver died at the hospital.

A Fulton County jury found Tex McIver guilty of felony murder in 2018. Four years later, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled the jury didn’t receive proper instructions and overturned McIver’s conviction.

Tex McIver parole certificate by WSB-TV on Scribd

The state set a retrial date in 2023, but elected in Jan. 2024 to not move forward with the retrial and offered McIver a plea deal.

McIver agreed to a felony murder charge being reduced to involuntary manslaughter and aggravated assault charge reduced to reckless conduct. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

McIver was sentenced to 15 years to serve, eight in custody and seven years on probation. As part of the agreement, the first five years of probation will be served under home confinement with an ankle monitor.

McIver received credit for time served.

In a statement, a parole board spokesman said: “This offender was sentenced to serve 8 years in prison. The Board’s decision is to parole 9 months prior to the end of sentence date of September 1, 2025.”

“The Board found that the offender’s release was compatible with the welfare of society. The Board considers prison conduct and program completions as evidence an offender will be successful on parole.”