Sexual assault trial gets under way
NEW BOSTON, Texas — Trial is expected to begin this morning at the Bowie County courthouse in the case of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman after a house party in August 2018.
Dreylund Edwards, 26, is charged with sexual assault and faces five to 20 years if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty.
The alleged victim reported to the Texarkana Texas Police Department on Aug. 23, 2018, that Edwards sexually assaulted her after she attended a party at his home, according to a probable cause affidavit. The woman told officers that she and other partygoers ate at a local restaurant about 1 a.m. and that the group returned to Edwards’ house around 2 a.m.
The alleged victim reported that she and another woman slept at Edwards’ house and planned to drive home in the morning. The alleged victim told investigators that she was awakened to Edwards pulling down her leggings.
The victim was distraught as she provided details of the sexual assault, the affidavit states.
The woman reported that she repeatedly pulled her clothing back up but Edwards would pull it back down. She reported she told Edwards “no” and “stop” multiple times.
The alleged victim reported that she contacted the other woman who had been sleeping in the same room with her prior to the assault, and was told Edwards had kicked her out of the room.
In an interview with investigators in September 2018, Edwards said he had consensual sex with the alleged victim and described the situation as a “misunderstanding.”
Edwards is free on a $40,000 bond. The trial is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning before 102nd District Judge Jeff Addison. Assistant District Attorneys Randle Smolarz and Lauren Richards are prosecuting. Edwards is represented by Assistant Public Defender Bart Craytor.