On Wednesday, September 18, a Burnet County Jury sentenced Jackey Martin to Life in prison after finding him guilty of the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, and Judge Allan Garrett of the 33rd District Court sentenced Martin in accordance with the jury’s verdict.
Martin abused the 8-year old victim while he was living with the child’s mother. Martin was caught by the victim’s mother immediately following the assault, and the incident was reported to law enforcement. The jury heard compelling testimony from a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, who noted injuries to the child and recovered DNA samples. A DNA analyst testified that the DNA sample recovered from the child matched Martin.
Assistant District Attorneys Michael Walker and Carson Guy presented the case for the State. In addition to the child victim, witnesses included the child’s mother, members of the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, and community partners from the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center. Martin was represented by Nathan Kight and Justice Kaigler of the Public Defender’s Office.
Walker praised the verdict, saying, “A child should never have to face something like this, but today a Burnet County jury delivered justice.” Guy added, “The jury reached the right result, and we’re proud to protect the community from child predators.”
District Attorney Sonny McAfee praised law enforcement as well as the victim’s family saying, “This was a great victory for both law enforcement and the child’s family, and a Burnet County jury sent a very clear message that the people of our District have no tolerance for the abuse of children.”