NEW BOSTON, Texas: A jury of seven men and five women was chosen Tuesday to decide the punishment a DeSoto, Texas, man should receive for shooting at a fellow driver on a Bowie County highway last year.
William Calvin Crunk, 64, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault Tuesday but wants a jury to assess his punishment. The state’s plea offer to Crunk involved serving time in prison. Crunk could get probation from a jury if sentenced to 10 years or less and if the jury recommends it. Aggravated assault with bodily injury is punishable by two to 20 years.
Opening statements and testimony are expected to begin Wednesday morning before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart. Texarkana attorney Derric McFarland is representing Crunk. Assistant District Attorneys Kelley Crisp and Lauren Richards represent the state.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Crunk was driving a white Kia SUV on I-30 east April 15, 2016, while pulling a utility trailer. The driver of a red Hyundai sedan told officers he was driving to his home in Magnolia, Ark., after a trip to Dallas to take his daughter to Love Field to catch a flight. The Hyundai driver said he noticed the Kia following him as he passed an 18-wheeler and then moved into the right lane. The shooting victim told Bowie County Sheriff’s Office investigators that the Kia passed him and then pulled in front of him and slowed down, causing the Hyundai to pass the Kia.
The Hyundai driver said the Kia then pulled up alongside him, lowered his window and fired a shot from a black revolver. The Hyundai driver said he could see and hear the gun being fired. The bullet passed through the Hyundai’s driver’s side door just below the handle and grazed his left arm. When the Hyundai driver got out of his car, the bullet fell out of his shirt and was collected by deputies.
When officers pulled over the Kia, Crunk said, “Nobody got shot,” but would say nothing else about the incident. A Taurus .357 revolver was collected from the Kia’s passenger seat which contained six bullets and one spent round. Also found in the passenger seat was an opened bottle of wine Crunk had been drinking.
A 9 mm pistol was collected from the Kia’s glove box. Deputies determined Crunk does have a Texas handgun license.
Crunk is currently free on a $100,000 bond.
