Thompson brothers found guilty on all charges - YNN - Your News Now

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Updated 12/10/2003 10:25 PM austin.ynn.com
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Thompson brothers found guilty on all charges
By: Heather Maze overnight morning daytime evening
TRAFFIC

SPORTS After just a few short hours a Travis County jury reached its decision in the case of two brothers
POLITICS
accused of beating a young boy after Bible study.
Upper Low 70s Near 90 Upper
2011 LEGISLATURE After closing arguments the jury deliberated a little over three hours. The eight women and four men 70s 80s
SUMMER CAMP found both Joshua and Caleb Thompson guilty on two counts each. Count one, injury to a child, a
GUIDE first-degree felony and count two, aggravated assault, a second-degree felony.
COMMUNITY
The Thompsons showed no emotion as Judge Brenda Kennedy read their guilty verdicts, but the boy's
CALENDAR
mother was visible shaken and in tears.
BUSINESS AND
FINANCE
During the trial, Joshua admitted he repeatedly struck the boy with a tree branch, but said he did it
ENTERTAINMENT because the boy's parents asked him to so the boy wouldn't go down the wrong path.
HEALTH

LIVING
Prosecutors said the beating was done out of spite and vengeance because of a fight between
Joshua's wife and the boy's mother. The boy ended up in intensive care for a week and was on the
WEB EXCLUSIVES
verge of kidney failure.
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FORT HOOD "Josh Thompson unleashed his anger and his rage on that 11-year-old boy, while his brother held him
SHOOTING
down. Caleb Thompson had a choice. He made his choice and stood by his brother," prosecutor Beth
EDUCATION Payan said in closing arguments.
CONTACT YNN
During closing arguments, defense attorney Gerry Goldstein had this to say about his client Joshua.
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"When I go home tonight my little boy is going to ask me what I did today. And I'm going to tell him
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that I stood up for a young man that had the guts and courage to admit his mistake and to ask
SITEMAP
forgiveness for him. That took a lot in this case," Goldstein said.

As the boy's mother left the courtroom she said justice was served.

"The evidence [was] there so I wasn't worried about it. It was just hurting me so much what they did to about 3 hours ago Headlines: Wife of Llano
my son," the boy's mother said. mayor killed in automobile accident
http://bit.ly/hyJMRg

about 3 hours ago Headlines: County attorney

dismisses civil complaint http://bit.ly/eUOCKx

about 3 hours ago Headlines: Growth may

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Thompson brothers found guilty on all charges - YNN - Your News Now

bring more representation to Williamson Co.

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Do you think more school

The Thompsons used a tree branch to strike the boy on his back. His punishment for goofing off in administrators should emulate the
Bible study class. personal financial sacrifices made
by the Round Rock and Leander ISD
Joshua is a pastor with Capital City Baptist Church. His father Hank is the lead minister, but corporal superintendents?
punishment was not condoned by the church.

Both Joshua and Caleb went directly from the courtroom to the county jail. They will appear for Yes
sentencing on Thursday morning. No
Other - Your Comments
Neither the Thompsons, their attorneys or anyone affiliated with Capital City Baptist Church were
willing to comment on the verdict.

The boy's parents also filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Thompsons.

12/9/2003 Thompson brothers take the stand

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12/8/2003 Defense witnesses testify in Thompson brothers' trial download or upgrade the free Adobe Flash Player.

12/8/2003 Prosecution rests in Thompson brothers' trial

   
12/8/2003 Detectives testifies in Thompson trial

12/5/2003 Thompson trial: emergency workers testify

12/4/2003 Thompson trial: Defense alludes abuse came elsewhere

12/3/2003 Testimony begins in Thompson trial

12/3/2003 Testimony to begin Wednesday in Thompson trial More city emails emerge as county
attorney's deadline approaches

http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/?ArID=91945[4/23/2011 12:09:55 AM]

Thompson brothers found guilty on all charges - YNN - Your News Now
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10/18/2002 Brothers accused of beating will return to court
Cone
10/17/2002 Brothers indicted for beating boy during Bible study

9/3/2002 Brothers accused of church beating appear at status hearing Senate committee votes forward
budget bill
7/31/2002 Civil suit filed against Capitol City Baptist Church

7/9/2002 Pastors accused of beating boy turn themselves in

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