KLTV 7
November 4, 2013
![Willis Demond Carwell.](/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Willis-Demond-Carwell..jpg)
Willis Demond Carwell, 32, of Palestine was sentenced to a total of 375 years in prison on five counts of sexual assault of a child on Tuesday afternoon at the Anderson County Courthouse.
A jury of eight men and four women reached verdicts of 75 years on each count at 1:13 p.m. on Tuesday following a sentencing hearing which started on Monday.
Carwell showed little emotion as District Judge Pam Foster Fletcher who presided over trial read the jury’s substantial verdict.
Anderson County Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Watkins represented the State of Texas with assistance from District Attorney Doug Lowe.
Carwell had earlier pleaded guilty to the assaults which are second degree felony. However, the possible punishment range was increased to a minimum of 5 years and maximum of 99 years or life because Carwell had been to prison for burglary of a habitation.
The female child victim testified in response to questioning by Assistant District Attorney Watkins about how she came to know Carwell.
“My mom took me with her to a meeting of Alcoholic’s Anonymous and we met and I talked to him (Carwell). He came over to our house after that,” the victim said.
“He came to my 14th birthday party,” the victim, now 15 told the jury.
“The first time we had sex I left my window unlocked and he snuck in. When we had sex I thought it was wrong, but didn’t say anything,” said the victim.
“I felt like I was in love with him (Carwell). He was 31, but I didn’t think about his age,”related the victim to the jury.
“Then I started getting a urinary infection so my mother took me to the hospital,” the victim said. “The nurse told me I was pregnant. My mom was in shock.”
“I had the baby because I believe abortion is wrong. I plan on raising my baby,” added the victim.