Testimony to continue today in rape trial
Testimony is expected to continue this morning at the Miller County Courthouse in the trial of a Texarkana, Ark., man accused of rape involving a 13-year-old girl.
Tyree Maurice Goins, 33, is accused of assaulting the girl repeatedly in 2015. The girl, now 16, testified Tuesday that she was living with her family at the Chapell Ridge Apartments in Texarkana, Ark., and that Goins lived in the adjacent Fox Creek Apartments, under questioning from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Connie Mitchell.
The girl said she would often spend time at Fox Creek where a large group of children often gathered to play. The girl testified that she loves to care for babies and young children and enjoyed her time with the younger kids, some of whom were Goins’ children.
The girl said one day, in February or March of 2015, Goins asked if she wanted to ride with him to the store. The girl said that after a stop at a local dollar store, Goins took her to another location and sexually assaulted her in the car. The girl described the car as burgundy with tinted windows and black wheels.
The girl said the experience “felt weird” and she was afraid to say no to Goins when he
asked her to ride with him on multiple occasions. The girl testified that Goins assaulted her in the car while parked at the Links Apartments in Texarkana, Ark., in a vacant unit of the Fox Creek Apartments, in the car while parked at Four States Fairgrounds and in the car while parked at the Village Park South apartments in Texarkana, Ark.
The girl said her brother saw sexually oriented text messages from Goins to the girl which he showed to their mother. The mother immediately called police and is expected to testify Wednesday.
Texarkana Children’s Advocacy Center Program Director Missy Davison testified Tuesday that it is not uncommon for child sexual abuse victims to put themselves in situations where they might be abused more than once by the same person, under questioning from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kristian Robertson.
“It could be someone they know, someone they care for. They may not quite understand exactly what’s happening,” Davison said. “They may be afraid of what will happen if they tell.”
Texarkana, Ark., Police Detective Wayne Easley testified Tuesday that there is no physical evidence, such as DNA, or medical evidence to support the allegations, under questioning from Robertson.
“That’s because of the extent of time from when it occurred to when it was reported,” Easley said.
In opening statements Tuesday morning, Goins’ defense lawyer, Garnet Norwood of Texarkana, told the jury that the text messages which Goins allegedly sent the girl that prompted her mother to call police have “disappeared.”
“Where are these text messages,” Norwood said. “This guy (Goins) sitting over there is like David fighting Goliath.”
After releasing the jury for the evening Tuesday afternoon, Circuit Judge Carlton Jones instructed the jury of six men and six women to return to the Miller County courthouse Wednesday morning.
Goins is charged with a single count of rape. The offense is typically punishable by 10 to 40 years or life in prison. However, because of a prior felony conviction for a drug offense, Goins faces 25 to 40 years or life if convicted.
A verdict is expected this week.