Erath County jury finds Trice guilty of sexually assaulting 4 minors.
Updated: Jan 26
An Erath County jury on Thursday found 78-year-old John David Trice guilty of sexually assaulting four boys while they worked for him on his Lingleville ranch.
Trice was found guilty on all charges which include one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14, four counts of indecency with a child, one count of sexual assault of a child and one count of sexual performance by a child.
Trice, standing next to his attorneys David Stokes and Cole Stokes, showed little emotion as the verdict was read.
It took the jury of nine women and three men almost five hours to reach a verdict; the jury will deliberate Trice’s fate on Friday.
The trial included two days of emotional testimony from his four victims, who were all minors when the abuse took place.
The boys, all men now in their 20s and 30s, recalled the sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of Trice while they worked on his ranch.
Stokes argued that the men made the accusations as a way to get money; two of Trice’s victims have sued him for $10 million.
He also called a string of character witnesses on the stand to speak on Trice’s behalf, including family members, long-time friends and two former employees who said they never saw signs of abuse.
In closing statements, Nash told jurors that Trice used his charm and ability to connect with young boys to groom his victims.
Nash said Trice’s ranch served as the perfect “setup” to commit his crimes.
Nash called the victims “courageous” for coming forward and telling authorities about the horrific things they endured as children.
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