Penalty Phase Begins In Texas Torture Case
WEATHERFORD (AP) - The punishment phase is starting in the trial of a North Texas man who kidnapped his ex-neighbor and held her captive for nearly two weeks.
Jeffrey Allan Maxwell faces up to life in prison. Prosecutors on Wednesday will call more witnesses.
Maxwell was found guilty Tuesday of aggravated kidnapping and two counts of aggravated sexual assault.
During closing arguments, prosecutors said DNA evidence on items in Maxwell's home support the victim's account of her ordeal last March. She testified that after her kidnapping, Maxwell whipped and sexually assaulted her on a deer-skinning device.
She says she endured other assaults and was chained to a bed before she was rescued when authorities arrived at his Corsicana home, 50 miles south of Dallas. They went there to question him about her disappearance.
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