Brandon James, only 16 when he shot and killed a man in an El Campo robbery, was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Ben Hardin. He’s the first of five charged with killing 21-year-old Shane Singleton in 2021. This sends a strong message: violent crimes are taken seriously in Wharton County. James, now 19, faces at least 40 years. Singleton was ambushed while trying to buy something, and tragically didn’t survive.