A man accused of sexually assaulting the mother of his children at knifepoint last year pleaded for a lower bond Friday at a hearing in Bowie County.
Brandon Harrison, 30, appeared with Deborah Moore of the Bowie County Public Defenders Office to address a motion to reduce his existing $250,000 bail at a hearing before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart. The mother of Harrison's alleged victim testified tearfully that her daughter lives in fear and struggles with depression since the alleged Sept. 15 attack.
Moore said Harrison will wear an ankle monitor and move in with a sister who lives several hours away if allowed to go free while his case proceeds to trial.
"He wants to get far, far away from here and live with his sister there," Moore said.
Lockhart told Harrison that the alleged circumstances surrounding the two counts of aggravated sexual assault with a deadly weapon, "cause me concern."
Harrison, who has two children with the woman he is accused of assaulting, said all he cares about is being released from jail and establishing a better relationship with his children.
"I'll do everything you tell me to," Harrison promised.
Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp opposed a reduction in Harrison's bail.
"As far as one to keep you up at night, this is one for me," Crisp said.
The alleged victim's mother testified that in the time since the alleged assault, a note she believes is indicative of Harrison's potential for "murder/suicide" has been discovered among his personal belongings. Lockhart asked Crisp if the state is in possession of the alleged note and asked if it may be used as evidence in Harrison's upcoming jury trial.
Crisp said she will investigate the matter and Lockhart deferred a final ruling on whether to lower Harrison's bond.
Harrison was allegedly hiding in a bedroom of the woman's house when she returned to her home on South Bowie in New Boston after being out most of the day Sept. 15, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Officers were called to the house at about 4:30 p.m. by the alleged victim's current boyfriend, who stated he received a text from the woman stating that Harrison had held her at knifepoint and would not allow her to leave.
When members of the New Boston Police Department and Bowie County Sheriff's Office entered the house, they quickly took Harrison into custody and the woman ran out of the front door. The woman allegedly told investigators that Harrison had been hiding in a bedroom and attacked her when she got home. The woman reported that she was sexually assaulted in her bedroom by Harrison as he held a knife to her throat.
Harrison is scheduled to face a jury in mid-May.