Nov. 17, 2006, 12:24AM
Teen's fate hinges on a violent past
Jury finds pipe attacker guilty; his record may mean minimum 15-year sentence
By BRIAN ROGERS
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle
David Tuck's past may haunt him today as he faces the possibility of life in prison for a near-fatal attack in which he beat, stomped and cut another teenager before kicking a plastic pipe into the youth's rectum.
On Thursday, a Harris County jury convicted Tuck of aggravated sexual assault for the April incident, in which a witness said he shouted "white power!" while assaulting the Hispanic youth.
As Tuck, 18, stood with a stoic expression, the 17-year-old victim smiled upon hearing the verdict and hugged his civil attorney. The teenager, who spent more than three months in intensive care, told jurors Wednesday that he does not remember the attack but faces more surgeries to repair his massive internal injuries.
The crime carries a sentencing range that includes probation, five to 99 years or life in prison. However, prosecutors plan to introduce evidence of prior convictions, which will change the sentence to a minimum of 15 years in prison, Assistant District Attorney Mike Trent said earlier this week.
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The victim, a Spring resident who is in his senior year at Klein Collins High School, testified that he has undergone dozens of surgeries and has many more to go. Jurors viewed graphic photos showing his injuries and heard testimony that the 1 1/2 -inch-diameter pipe perforated his bowel, burst his bladder and caused other injuries.
Tuck and Turner also were accused of pouring bleach on the victim, including on his face.
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http://chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4341796.html~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~DU'ers may remember that this guy and his friend also slashed the young man and poured bleach into these areas as well.
One would only hope he was unconcious when they were doing their best work.