NEW BOSTON, Texas - The state rested its case Thursday in the trial of a Red Lick, Texas, man accused of repeatedly molesting a young girl he is related to by marriage.
Nolan Dean "Buddy" Turner, 70, is charged with the continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. His lawyers, John Pickett and Josh Potter, both of Texarkana, are expected to begin calling witnesses Friday morning for the defense. Turner denies the allegations.
Turner allegedly abused the girl on a regular basis beginning when she was in third or fourth grade in 2015 until a report was made to the Bowie County Sheriff's Office in May 2017, according to a probable cause affidavit. Turner was married to a relative of the girl's until 2018, when the couple divorced.
He regularly babysat the girl after school.
Turner is free on a $100,000 bond. If found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, he faces 25 to 99 years or life in prison. There is no parole under Texas law for any sentence imposed for continuous sexual abuse of a child.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter is prosecuting, and 5th District Judge Bill Miller is presiding. The case could be decided by the jury today.
If the jury finds Turner guilty, the case will enter a punishment phase, during which the jury may hear testimony concerning sentencing.