NEW BOSTON, Texas-Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to begin at the Bowie County courthouse this morning in the trial of a 59-year-old Hooks, Texas, man accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2015.
Larry Thomas Webb is accused of assaulting the girl on Sept. 20 in his home in Bowie County, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The girl, who is related to Webb by a parent's marriage, was spending the night at Webb's home when the assault allegedly occurred.
Bowie County sheriff's deputies were called by a neighbor of Webb's on whose door the girl knocked looking for help. The neighbor said she and other family members woke to the sound of someone beating on the door. The girl allegedly told Webb's neighbor she had been "raped."
The girl allegedly told staff at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana that she was awakened in the night to Webb touching and assaulting her. Webb denied any wrongdoing and claimed the girl was upset because he refused to drive her home the night before when he was under the influence of muscle relaxers and beer.
The girl told deputies Webb threatened to kill her when she tried to call her mother from his house phone.
A jury of six men and six women was selected Tuesday to decide the case. Webb is charged with two counts of aggravated sexual assault and two counts of indecency with a child by contact. Each count of aggravated sexual assault is punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison. Indecency by contact is punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
Assistant District Attorneys Lauren Richards and Kelley Crisp are prosecuting the case. Webb is represented by Texarkana lawyer Butch Dunbar.