I didn't watch much of the sexual assault of a child trial that went on in Decatur over the last two days, so I can't tell if today's late afternoon guilty verdict seemed right or wrong. But it was part of the very odd "split verdict" where the jury found the defendant guilty of one sex act in Count I but not guilty of a different act in Count II.
But these cases make me nervous because there seems to be so much doubt. No scientific evidence, just the word of the girl, a family incest allegation, delayed outcry, and a very short trial. (Although there was evidence that the defendant admitted to the offense to family members - but I'm not sure as to the context of this admission.)
The unusual part for the Decatur courthouse was that the defendant was of Middle Eastern descent. Most of the witnesses were from Pakistan or Bangladesh who testified with thick accents in front of typical looking Wise County jury. I hope the evidence that those involved were practicing Muslims played no role in the verdict. I have faith that it did not.
The punishment phase of the trial is tomorrow. The possible range of punishment is as low as 5 years of probation to the maximum of life in prison. Texas is unusual about allowing jury sentencing and giving them wide discretion as to what to do.
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7.08.2009
Sex Assault Trial
I didn't watch much of the sexual assault of a child trial that went on in Decatur over the last two days, so I can't tell if today's late afternoon guilty verdict seemed right or wrong. But it was part of the very odd "split verdict" where the jury found the defendant guilty of one sex act in Count I but not guilty of a different act in Count II.
But these cases make me nervous because there seems to be so much doubt. No scientific evidence, just the word of the girl, a family incest allegation, delayed outcry, and a very short trial. (Although there was evidence that the defendant admitted to the offense to family members - but I'm not sure as to the context of this admission.)
The unusual part for the Decatur courthouse was that the defendant was of Middle Eastern descent. Most of the witnesses were from Pakistan or Bangladesh who testified with thick accents in front of typical looking Wise County jury. I hope the evidence that those involved were practicing Muslims played no role in the verdict. I have faith that it did not.
The punishment phase of the trial is tomorrow. The possible range of punishment is as low as 5 years of probation to the maximum of life in prison. Texas is unusual about allowing jury sentencing and giving them wide discretion as to what to do.