Judge Orders 99 Years In Prison
The trial began like any other. On April 6th, a jury panel was summoned to appear in the District Court in Corsicana. The Defendant, Sergio Galindo, was present with his attorney. The State was represented by First Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wolf and Assistant District Attorney Dominque Lee. A jury of four men, eight women and two alternates, was selected for a trial to begin the following Monday after the Easter weekend.
Monday morning began with opening statements as prosecutors outlined a history of both physical and sexual abuse that the child-victim suffered at the hands of Galindo. The jury heard from the child’s mother, the first person she told about the abuse, and then later from the lead detective, Corsicana PD Corporal Dan Putman. Putman introduced photos of the two residences described by the victim during her outcry to Dr. Lydia Bailey of the Navarro County Child Advocacy Center. Dr. Bailey also testified about the child’s statements to her, detailing multiple instances of abuse at both residences. The child herself got on the witness stand and talked about how living with Galindo was like “living in Hell.” She identified him to the jury by pointing at him from the witness stand. After her testimony, the jury took a recess for the day.
The next morning, the parties returned to the courtroom, but Sergio Galindo was not among them. The bailiff called his name in the halls, but with no response. Wolf requested that the Court find that his bond was insufficient and requested that Judge Lagomarsino issue a warrant for Galindo’s arrest. That request was granted. After hearing from CPD Detective Garrett Harrell about the efforts to locate Galindo, the judge made a finding that he had “voluntarily absented himself” from the proceeding. The trial continued in Galindo’s absence. The State called the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) who talked about injuries to the child consistent with sexual abuse. On Wednesday morning the jury heard closing arguments from both sides including commentary about the defendant’s absence. “Let’s discuss the elephant that’s not in the room,” Wolf told the jury. “Innocent men don’t run.”
The jury deliberated for nearly 5 hours before returning their unanimous verdict of guilt. Galindo was still not present to hear their decision. On Thursday morning, Judge Lagomarsino heard additional evidence, including that the defendant was on felony probation for two Injury-to-a-Child cases involving the same child-victim and her brother. Lagomarsino commented on the testimony that the jury used to convict the defendant and sentenced him to 99 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The sentence will be pronounced when Galindo is arrested on his open warrant. Under Texas law, a sentence under this statute is served day-for-day, with no possibility of parole.
Navarro County Criminal District Attorney Will Thompson commented, “April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, and a jury of Navarro County citizens has once again sent the message that our community takes abuse against our children, whether it is physical or sexual, very seriously. I’d like to thank all involved for their efforts.”
Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson stated, “We were able to track Galindo’s cell phone as he crossed Eagle Pass.” Corsicana Police have been in contact with the United States Marshal’s Office and their Fugitive Apprehension Team, Mexico Authorities, and Border Patrol to successfully apprehend Galindo.
If you have any details to the whereabouts of Galindo, please contact the Corsicana Police Department.
