LONGVIEW, Texas -- The bizarre drama of state Rep. Mike Martin's ambush shooting -- supposedly by satanists -- and four-day disappearance seems to be over.
Police revealed evidence Friday that the Longview Republican arranged his own shotgun wounding with his 29-year-old cousin in order to gain publicity and improve his chances at winning a seat in the Texas Senate.
Charles Goff, Martin's cousin, told police he fired the shots that nicked Martin's elbow July 31 outside the lawmaker's Austin trailer home.
He also said he later made threatening phone calls to a Martin aide to bolster the legislator's story that a satanic cult known as 'Guardian Angels of the Underworld' was responsible for the attack.
Both men were arrested Friday.
Martin, who had been in hiding since Monday, was arrested on an 18-month-old misdemeanor assault charge. He posted a $5,000 cash bond and was free in less than two hours. Goff was charged with making terroristic telephone calls, also a misdemeanor, and was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Martin supposedly was considering an attempt at the Senate seat currently held by Sen. Peyton McKnight, D-Tyler, who has said he might run for governor.
Both Martin and Goff could face additional charges resulting from the shooting when the case returns to a Travis County grand jury in Austin next week.
Gregg County Sheriff Bob Weaver said in Longview official misconduct charges were being considered against Martin. H. Allen Hill, assistant district attorney for special crimes in Austin, also said Martin could be charged with giving a false statement to police.
At a news conference, Gregg County District Attorney Rob Foster said all evidence indicated that Goff's statements were correct.
Goff also provided police with the shotgun used in the shooting.
Weaver predicted Martin will appear before the grand jury next Tuesday. However, Martin has ignored two previous subpoenas issued by the grand jury.
