NEW BOSTON, Texas-A jury of eight women and four men was chosen Tuesday to decide the fate of a Texarkana man accused of sexual misconduct with a young girl in 2013.
Strodney Deron Davis, 21, was 18 when he allegedly coerced a 6-year-old relative into sexual behavior during June 2013. Davis was indicted May 29, 2014, for indecency with a child by contact by a Bowie County grand jury. The second-degree felony is punishable by two to 20 years in a Texas prison.
Davis sat quietly Tuesday as 202nd District Judge Leon Pesek Jr. and lawyers for the state and defense discussed the case and questioned a 52-member jury panel. Shortly before 2 p.m. the jury and a single male alternate were chosen to serve.
The state, represented by First Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter, have filed notice of their intent to present allegations that Davis acted inappropriately with the alleged victim at times and in jurisdictions not included in the Bowie County case. The notice includes allegations of indecency with a child by exposure, indecency by contact in June 2013 as well as allegations of sexual assault of a child which allegedly occurred in May and June 2013 in Pulaski County, Ark.
This morning the jury is expected to hear opening arguments and testimony from the first of the state's witnesses. The alleged victim, now 9, is scheduled to testify. Davis is represented by First Assistant Public Defender Will Williams and Chief Public Defender Rick Shumaker.
Davis is free on a $40,000 bail bond. The trial is expected to last two or three days.