NEW BOSTON, Texas-A jury of nine women and three men was selected Monday to decide the fate of a Barry Telford Unit inmate accused of knocking out a correctional officer with one punch earlier this year.
Bryan Austin White, 27, is facing a minimum 15-year sentence if found guilty of aggravated assault on a peace officer. The minimum punishment for the offense has been increased from five to 15 years because of White's prior felony history.
White allegedly punched Correctional Officer Kevin Squibb with such force on Jan. 3 that he was knocked unconscious, suffered a concussion and required stitches, according to court documents used to create the following account. A Bowie County grand jury indicted White in March for aggravated assault on a public servant by a person with a prior felony conviction. White has pleaded not guilty.
The jury has several options in the guilt or innocence phase of White's trial. The jury could acquit him, find him guilty of aggravated assault on a peace officer, or find him guilty of a lesser offense, such as assault on a peace officer. Although assault on a peace officer is punishable by two to 10 years in prison, White's prior convictions could mean the punishment range is increased to two to 20 years.
White, who is represented by Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson, is expected to ask that 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart decide White's punishment if the jury returns a verdict of guilty. Assistant District Attorneys Kelley Crisp and Lauren Richards are prosecuting.
White is serving two 25-years terms for aggravated robbery. He received those sentences Feb. 23, 2011, in Kaufman County, Texas, according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice website. White's projected release date is Oct. 6, 2036, and his parole eligibility date is listed as April 6, 2024.
According to court records, Squibb was performing routine duties when White, a general population inmate at the time, approached him and asked about being escorted to a work assignment. Squibb allegedly told White he had not been called to report yet but that he would escort him as soon as he was.
After being escorted to his cell, White allegedly became agitated and aggressive, facing Squibb and dropping a book he was holding onto the floor. He allegedly struck Squibb in the side of his head with a closed fist, causing the guard to fall to the floor unconscious.
The guard was treated at a Texarkana hospital for a concussion with loss of consciousness for 30 minutes or less and required three stitches to close a head laceration.
Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to begin Tuesday morning at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston.