Jury chosen in child sex abuse trial

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A jury of nine women and three men was chosen Tuesday to decide the case of a Bowie County man accused of forcing his former girlfriend’s daughter to earn food, cell phones and more by having sex with him.

Roy Dean Brown, 51, allegedly abused the girl from the age of five or six until she told family members in August 2010, according to a probable cause affidavit. Brown allegedly lived with the girl and her mother in New Boston, Texas, for years before the allegations surfaced.

Testimony is scheduled to begin Wednesday morning before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston.

In 2010, after the girl and her family went to police, Brown allegedly stopped showing up for work as a teacher’s aide in the Hooks, Texas, Independent School District elementary school. Brown has been free on bail since his arrest in 2011. DNA supporting the state’s case was allegedly found on bedding in the girl’s room.

If found guilty of the continuous sexual abuse of a child, Brown faces 25 years to life in prison. A second indictment alleges second degree sexual assault which allegedly occurred after the girl turned 14. That offense is punishable by two to 20 years in prison.

Shreveport, La., lawyer Carl Franklin is representing Brown. Assistant District Attorneys Kelley Crisp and Lauren Richards are prosecuting the case. Opening arguments and testimony are expected to begin Wednesday morning at the Bowie County courthouse.

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