Sex, Lies, and Motel 6

SAN ANGELO, TX – An aggravated robbery trial at the Tom Green County Courthouse quickly turned into a tale of sex, manipulation and he-said she-said, as the second day of Eddie Lynn Tackett’s trial ended. 

Tackett, 45, is charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.  He pleaded not guilty.  He is accused of stabbing 69-year-old Kenneth Riza while robbing him at the Motel 6 located at 311 N. Bryant Blvd. in San Angelo, on February 3, 2016. 

Jury selection was completed Monday and the District Attorney began presenting evidence Tuesday morning at 9 a.m. in Judge Brad Goodwin’s court.  Stuart Holden is the lead prosecutor. In his opening statement, Holden told the jury, made up of six men and six women, that he would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Tackett robbed Riza at the Motel 6 while he was armed with a knife. Tackett’s 56-year-old wife Elizabeth Tackett is also charged with robbery. 

Holden’s first witness was the victim, Kenneth Riza.  Before the jury was brought into the courtroom, defense attorney Jessica Skinner requested Riza not be referred to as a victim because no crime had yet been proven. Judge Goodwin and Holden agreed not to refer to Riza as a victim. 

Riza took the stand and told jurors that he was in San Angelo as a general contractor for Nay, Inc. and was inspecting a project in Miles, TX to bid on a construction project.  Riza told the court he checked in to the Motel 6 around 9:30 p.m. on February 2, 2016.  Riza explained that because he is diabetic and had other health issues, his doctor had instructed him to walk 10,000 steps a day. Riza testified he had a pedometer to track his steps and was walking an oval pattern in the motel parking lot to get in his required steps the night of the assault. 

Riza testified that there were a few people outside their rooms as he walked.  Eddie and Elizabeth Tackett were outside room 113.  Riza said he greeted them saying, "hello, how are y’all?" as he walked by the first time. 

A few rounds later, Riza said Eddie Tackett asked him if he wanted a girl.  Riza said no. The next time Riza walked by, Tackett asked Riza if he thought his wife was pretty.  Riza testified that he had said yes just to be kind.  The next time he walked by, Tackett asked if he wanted his wife; Riza told the jury he wasn’t interested. 

Riza testified that somehow Tackett lured him or forced him into the Tackett’s room, room 113, and would not let him leave.  While he was in their room, Riza explained that Elizabeth Tackett performed oral sex on her husband followed by Eddie Tackett turning his wife over on the bed for intercourse.  Riza then told the court that Tackett’s wife again performed oral sex on Eddie Tackett. 

In a written statement to investigators, Riza said he watched them finish, then tried to leave.  It was then that Eddie Tackett told Riza that there was "no free show" and that Riza had to pay for what he had just watched. 

Riza told Tackett that he had no money with him, but he that he had money in his room.  Riza testified that he was in fear of his life, so he told Tackett his room number, 125.  Riza walked to his room as both Eddie and Elizabeth followed.  Riza testified that when he got to his room, he attempted to get into his truck, but Tackett stopped him. 

Then Riza opened the door to his motel room and tried to get in quickly and shut Tackett out, but couldn’t. 

Riza testified that Tackett pushed through the door and began hitting and stabbing him.  Riza said Tackett threw him against the wall a dozen times and stabbed him in the abdomen and the left hand. 

Eddie Tackett said Riza ordered him to take off all his clothes at knife point while Elizabeth Tackett took all his belongings out of the room, including his clothes.  Riza said Tackett ripped a bed sheet and ‘hog tied’ him, naked, so that his hands and feet were tied behind his back. 

Tackett then stuffed a strip of sheet into Riza’s mouth and told him not to make a sound.  Riza testified that he waited until he heard his truck start and drive off before he freed himself from the bindings to reach for the landline to call the front desk.

The police were called and Riza was taken to Shannon Medical Center.  He was treated for cuts to his abdomen and left hand.  His wounds did not require stitches. 

The prosecution called five of the San Angelo Police Officers involved in the investigation.  Officer Anthony Dietz testified that he investigated the scene. Defense attorney Skinner asked Dietz if Riza’s story was “an odd story with details missing?” Dietz said yes. 

SAPD officer Shea Gonzales, who was second on the scene and photographed the rooms, told the court and the jurors, “Motel 6 is known for drugs and prostitution.” 

Lead SAPD investigator Jason Chegwidden showed the jury the blood stained strip of bed sheet used as a restraint to hog tie Riza and another bed sheet with blood stains.  Chegwidden told the jury that Riza told him in a hospital interview that “after the sex act there was a demand for money and Riza wasn’t allowed to leave.”  Chegwidden also reviewed a video surveillance of Elizabeth Tackett in the lobby of the Motel 6 renting a room for February 2 and 3. 

Chegwidden echoed Gonzales, and also testified that “Motel 6 has an ongoing problem with drugs and prostitution.”

Holden’s closing argument late Tuesday was that Eddie Tackett checked in at the Motel 6 to “pimp out his wife.” Then, when Riza wasn’t interested, he chose to rob him instead. 

Skinner’s closing argument focused on inconsistencies between Riza’s statements given to police at the time and the answers he gave the jury Tuesday.  Skinner told the jury, “If a story begins with a lie and ends with a lie, then the story is a lie.” Skinner said Riza's written statement at the original interview said he wasn't forced into the Tackett's room, yet he told the jurors that he wasn't allowed to leave the Tackett's room.  Skinner told the jury that Riza is not telling you the truth.  Skinner said, "Riza watched Elizabeth Tackett give her husband [oral sex], then intercourse, then again give her husband [oral sex]."  Skinner asked "why?,  Why the sex? Why not just ask for Riza for money?"

Eddie Tackett declined to take the stand on his own behalf. 

Wife Elizabeth Tackett is currently in custody in the Tom Green County jail and was in the courthouse Tuesday to meet with her attorney.  She was not called to testify in her husband’s trial. 

Jurors will meet Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. to deliberate the guilt or innocence of Eddie Lynn Tackett.  

The verdict was handed down Wednesday afternoon. See details here.