NEW BOSTON, Texas-Opening statements and testimony are expected to begin this morning in the trial of a Bowie County man accused of sexual misconduct with several young girls.
A jury of eight women and four men was chosen Tuesday in proceedings before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston to decide the fate of Randall Lee Wright.
Wright, 57, was first charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child in two indictments handed down in December 2015 by a grand jury. The indictments involve a then 15-year-old relative of Wright's and the girl's 12-year-old friend.
A third indictment accusing Wright of sexually abusing another minor female relative was handed down in December 2016. The third alleged victim was interviewed Oct. 17 at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana, according to a probable-cause affidavit used to create the following account.
The newest indictment alleges Wright continuously abused the girl from 2012 to 2015. The girl was 13 when interviewed by authorities. At a previous hearing, Wright pleaded not guilty to the continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14.
The two older indictments allege that a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old relative of Wright's were sexually assaulted by Wright the night of Sept. 20, 2015. The girls allegedly reported that Wright was drinking and offered them alcohol as well. The 12-year-old contacted her mother, who contacted police.
Second-degree sexual assault of a child is punishable by two to 20 years in prison. Aggravated sexual assault of a child and continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 are punishable by up to life in prison. The jury selected Tuesday is only being asked to determine if Wright is guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child. If found guilty of that offense, the other alleged victims could be called to testify during the trial's punishment phase.
Wright is represented by Texarkana lawyers Kristian Young and Danny Cook. First Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter are handling the case for the state.