Dramatic Testimony Highlights North Sentencing Hearing
By: Katie Thompson and Stetson Samuel
Updated: October 27, 2011
Emotions ran high in the courtroom as the murder trial of Christopher North took two stunning turns in its final day.
On Wednesday the jury sentenced North to 70 years in prison.
That morning the state called Stephanie Molina, the girlfriend of Austin David, for her third time on the stand to testify as a character witness.
The courtroom went into a state of shock when Molina announced that she had miscarried Austin David's child, and had found out she was pregnant after he was killed.
After the judge asked the jury to leave the room, she claimed the miscarriage came from stress and trauma.
The defense then called North's family to try and show that he wasn't the angry person the state had painted him as.
After three hours of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict: a 70 year sentence that sent the courtroom into chaos.
The final words came from the mother of Austin David, who spoke to the court and said,
"The only remorse I have seen from this man has come only from having to face the consequences of his actions. Unlike you, Mr. North, we wish to stop the violence here. I wish you luck, I offer you prayers."
North was then handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom to begin his punishment.
On Wednesday the jury sentenced North to 70 years in prison.
That morning the state called Stephanie Molina, the girlfriend of Austin David, for her third time on the stand to testify as a character witness.
The courtroom went into a state of shock when Molina announced that she had miscarried Austin David's child, and had found out she was pregnant after he was killed.
After the judge asked the jury to leave the room, she claimed the miscarriage came from stress and trauma.
The defense then called North's family to try and show that he wasn't the angry person the state had painted him as.
After three hours of deliberation, the jury reached its verdict: a 70 year sentence that sent the courtroom into chaos.
The final words came from the mother of Austin David, who spoke to the court and said,
"The only remorse I have seen from this man has come only from having to face the consequences of his actions. Unlike you, Mr. North, we wish to stop the violence here. I wish you luck, I offer you prayers."
North was then handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom to begin his punishment.
Comments
When the Grand Jury indicted North, I thought there must be more to this case than reported in the news. This IS TEXAS. When someone jumps out of their car with a gun and refuses to put it down ACCEPT the fact you are gonna die. North was convicted only because he was a good shot. When the guilty verdict came back I understood the jury felt North would have to be punished in some way. The 70 year sentence is ridiculous. Wayne Pense killed the Bangs peace officer while high on [censored] in Brown County in 2005/6. While free on bail on those charges, Pense bought another vehicle and that same day he was high on [censored] AGAIN and injured another family in Millsap. Add a Burg Hab to all that the guy only serves 30 years. North didn't get his gun until David was aiming for him. I think North showed EXTREME restraint in telling David to put the gun down or he would shoot. I don't know anyone else that would have warned David. David paid for his bad judgement. North simply defended himself.
BRENDA B.
October 30, 2011 at 1:36 am
