Urias sentenced

Jurors sentenced 48-year-old Alonso Torres Urias to three life sentences Thursday on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14 and one count of indecency with a child.

Urias was found guilty of the crimes Wednesday in Judge Denn Whalen's 70th District Court.

Urias' commonlaw wife declined comment Thursday while wiping away tears outside the courthouse.

"I'm glad it's over with," the victim's mother said after Urias' sentencing. "It's what he deserved."

Urias was facing no more than 20 years for the indecency charge up until the trial's sentencing phase. Jurors were made aware of his two prior convictions for possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and burglary of a habitation Thursday, which allowed them to slap Urias with an enhanced sentence for the indecency count.

"Obviously the jury felt that the maximum punishment allowed was appropriate in this case, and we agree with them," Ector County District Attorney Bobby Bland said.

Jurors also heard testimony from a young woman who alleged that Urias touched her inappropriately and tried to kiss her back in 2002. She was a minor at the time and was visiting Urias' former West Odessa home for a horseback riding lesson with her friends, who lived in Urias' neighborhood.  

The woman told her story to a forensic interviewer at Harmony Home Children's Advocacy Center and Urias was questioned, but nothing came of it.

"Clearly we're disappointed and are going to move forward on the appeal," defense attorney Ray Fivecoat said.

Fivecoat said he would file an appeal.

Urias' trial started Tuesday. He was charged with three counts of indecency with a child in addition to the two aggravated sexual assault counts, but Assistant District Attorney Scott Layh accepted Fivecoat's motion during day two of the trial to drop two of the indecency charges for lack of evidence.

  Urias was arrested in July 2007 after his accuser went to police with a complaint about crimes that happened in April 2006.

He has been in the Ector County Detention Center since on a $50,000 bond.

The victim had lived with family members and Urias on Odessa's west side for most of her life. The victim's mother testified Tuesday that she moved her daughter out of Urias' home immediately after she was given a letter, written by her daughter, which accused Urias' of touching her inappropriately.

Medical Center Hospital Safety and Security Director Brad Timmons said the victim's medical exam showed physical evidence that was consistent with her outcry, which prompted Urias' arrest.