Man accused of killing girlfriend after punching her in face pleads not guilty

TEXARKANA, Texas - A man accused of killing his girlfriend by punching her in the face pleaded not guilty to aggravated assault Monday at a hearing in Bowie County.

Dontavious Dishawn Haney, 19, appeared Monday before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell via Zoom videoconferencing software. Haney appeared from a room in the jail.

First Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp asked Tidwell to schedule the case for trial once restrictions meant to stem the spread of COVID-19 are lifted and jury selections can be held.

"I cannot conceive of a way we're going to get this one worked out," Crisp said.

Tidwell mentioned that the county's judges are currently working to identify large venues where jury selection could be held while maintaining social distancing.

"I think we may be starting trials again after June 1st," Tidwell said.

Assistant Public Defender Clayton Haas told Tidwell he has filed a motion asking for a reduction in Haney's bond of $1 million. Tidwell said he'd take a look at the motion and consider the request. Meanwhile, Haney remains in custody.

Haney allegedly struck his live-in girlfriend, 21-year-old Denise Watson, with a closed fist during an argument Jan. 24 at the couple's Peach Street residence. According to a probable cause affidavit, the punch caused multiple fractures around Watson's right eye.

The blow also caused Watson's brain to bleed and quickly rendered her unconscious. Haney allegedly admitted to Texarkana, Texas, investigators that he and Watson were arguing when he took her cellphone from her and broke it.

Haney allegedly claimed that Watson either slapped or knocked Haney's phone from his hand moments before he delivered the blow to Watson's face in the area of her right eye.

"After being struck, Watson came into contact with a wall of the residence, then collapsed," the affidavit states.

Haney called 911.

Watson allegedly became quickly nonresponsive and her breathing became labored before ceasing altogether. First responders performed CPR on Watson and took her to a local hospital where surgery was performed to relieve the pressure on her brain.

"In speaking with the neurosurgeon who treated Watson, he advised the bleeding around her brain was caused a brain herniation, typical of a traumatic brain injury," the affidavit states.

It notes that the medical examiner found no evidence that indicated there had been a "prolonged physical altercation" between Watson and Haney before Watson suffered the fatal blow.

Haney faces five to 99 years or life in prison if convicted of aggravated assault with family violence and serious bodily injury.

Upcoming Events