Today, at approximately 6:45 p.m., a jury of six men and women came back with a guilty verdict beyond a reasonable doubt that Jacob Mediano, 29, of San Angelo, sexually assaulted and impregnated his 12-year-old niece.
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In an event-filled second day, the jury heard testimony from the victim, now 15 years old, a retired Texas Ranger who helped with the DNA testing, a forensic DNA analyst from the University of North Texas Crime Lab who performed the paternity test that proved Mediano had a 99.998 percent probability of being the baby’s child. The jury also heard from the victim’s mother, Michelle Chavez Schwanz. The Defense called on Schwanz, who testified and said the victim had a tendency to not be truthful, which is why she was removed from Schwanz’s custody by Child Protective Services.
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However, despite Defense Attorney James Millan’s attempts to discredit the victim and transfer the suspicion of blame onto the victim’s father, Jeremiah Mediano, who was previously convicted for a similar crime in 2000, the jury found Mediano guilty. Judge Tom Gossett revoked Mediano’s bond, and he was taken into custody until his sentencing Wednesday morning.
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Mediano chose not to receive punishment by jury, so Judge Gossett will decide his fate tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.
Stay tuned for that information and more details into today’s testimony.
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Comments
Can you please clarify the sentence
"the paternity test that proved Mediano had a 99.998 percent probability of being the baby’s child, and from the victim’s mother, Michelle Chavez Schwanz."
To me it appears to read that the baby is the child of the victim's uncle and her mother? However, pretty sure that I am just misreading it. Thank you
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PermalinkThat was a bit of a long sentence, so I can see why you may have misread it. The beginning said, "The jury heard testimony from....," and the mother was one of the people they heard testimony from. I had a relative clause in there prior to that, which may have confused things (who performed the paternity test....). To help clarify, I changed it a little. I hope that helps.
Regards,
Brandy
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PermalinkThank you, I thought that's what was being said but wasn't sure. I think the "baby's child" played a part in that too, but it's much clearer to me now. And im not criticizing, just wanted to make sure I understood it right. Thank you.
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PermalinkHe ended up getting 50 years in prison.
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