NEW BOSTON, Texas-Opening arguments and testimony are expected to begin this morning in the trial of a Texarkana man accused of sexual misconduct with an 11-year-old girl.
Shaquyl Blackwell, 23, appeared with Shoaib Daredia of the Bowie County Public Defenders Office for a final pretrial hearing in the case Monday. Daredia told 202nd District Judge John Tidwell that Blackwell is opting to turn down an offer from the state to serve three years.
"I told you the pros and cons and you still want to go to trial," Daredia asked Blackwell in open court.
Blackwell agreed that he wants a trial. If convicted by the jury of seven women and five men chosen to decide the case, Blackwell faces two to 20 years in prison.
The child told her mother that a man she knew as "Shaq" touched her inappropriately and groped her while she was visiting her aunt at the Rosehill Ridge apartment complex Dec. 11, 2016, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The girl said that after enduring the unwanted touches, Blackwell told her, "You are still a virgin."
Blackwell was allegedly in the apartment while the girl's aunt was out.
First Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter are prosecuting. The trial is expected to end this week.