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Author Topic: "Twilight Rapist" Billie Joe Harris -predator targeting elderly(ARREST)  (Read 14945 times)
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MuffyBee
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« Reply #20 on: October 01, 2011, 12:18:17 AM »

http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/sep/30/gp_rapist_093011_153808/?counties
Jury sentences convicted rapist to life in prison, assesses $10,000 fine
September 30, 2011

EDNA - A Jackson County jury took about 10 minutes on Friday to sentence Billy Joe Harris and his alleged other personalities - David the dog and Bobby - to life in prison for sexual assault.

Dubbed the Twilight Rapist, Harris, 54, of Missouri City, was convicted last week by a Jackson County jury for the January sexual assault of a disabled Edna woman.

Authorities say they have linked Harris, who is accused of being a serial rapist, by DNA and other evidence to more than 10 sexual assaults in the Crossroads area and Central Texas since 2009.
 ::snipping2::
In addition to a life sentence, jurors also assessed Harris a $10,000 fine.

Shortly after Harris' attorney, Alan Cohen, began his closing arguments, Harris attempted to stand up and cause a scene.

"Control yourself!" Cohen said to his client as guards restrained Harris.

The agitated defendant was led out of the courtroom. He was only allowed back in the courtroom to be formally sentenced by District Judge Skipper Koetter and to listen to the victim impact statements.

As Cohen continued with his closing statement, he reiterated Harris' alleged multiple personality disorder to jurors, which he brought in expert witnesses to testify about during the guilt-innocence phase of the trial.

Officially named associative disorder syndrome, Cohen contended Harris' condition was brought about by watching and participating in pornography, including taking part in bestiality with a dog, as a teenager, as well as a fear of his older brother.

"Billy was so traumatized by Tommy (his brother) that he slept, lived and moved into the attic of a farmhouse," Cohen, who described Harris' crimes as violent, sadistic and disgusting, told jurors. "It was a fortress of isolation."

Cohen said two other personalities were identified by the two doctors who examined Harris - David the dog, who committed the crime, and Bobby, the mastermind.

"He was a rabid dog," said Cohen. "If David the dog had got into (one of the defendants) bedroom, he would have torn her to shreds. There's no doubt in my mind."

He dismissed testimony by prosecution witness Dr. Richard Coons that Harris was not mentally ill, but strange.

"A person diagnosed as strange doesn't commit these crimes," said Cohen.

The defense attorney told jurors the keys Harris took from his victims were further proof of his mental illness.

"Those belonged to the dog," said Cohen. "They provided him access back to his prey."

During his closing arguments, Bell shot down Harris' claims of mental illness.

"If you're going to come up with an excuse, you need to come up with a better one than that," said Bell. "Those trophies were in his house so he could become aroused and yes maybe even sexually gratified."

Bell said Harris targeted church-going women, accusing Harris of scouting out his victims on Sundays.

"It's ironic that's where he picked them up, but he was deeply disturbed when (the victims) prayed," he said. "There's not enough years you can give him."

He went on to say, "He has no conscious, which means he has nothing to control these actions. He's never going to stop if he's out."

Bell totaled his crimes to 29, including rapes, attempted rapes and burglaries.

After the sentence was handed down, victims presented their impact statements.
 ::snipping2::
A Hope of South Texas representative read aloud a victim impact statement from one victim, who could not attend Friday's proceedings, about the financial impact Harris' crime has had on her life, causing her to only travel by a van for senior citizens, which costs $1 round trip.

"It may not sound like a lot, but when you only have $141 in income every month, those dollars add up," said the victim, from whom Harris stole her $15,000 in life savings from her home.

In the letter, the woman detailed her plans to spend the money on tombstone repairs for her relatives and to purchase one for herself.

During the victim impact statements, guards had to once again restrain Harris who attempted to stand up again.

An 83-year-old Centerville woman, who scared Harris away from her home with a gun, used her time on the stand to share an inspiring message with the other victims.

"I regret that many of you have been severely mistreated and severely devastated by this man who has entered into our lives," she said. "For all the victims, I grieve. I cry and I pray that we will all find strength and peace in our minds and hearts."

She also had a message for the next person with the misguided idea of breaking into her house.

"I already have a new 38 River CR caliber with live ammunition, which I pan to use for my protection in the future.
 ::snipping2::
Cohen said Harris has done the basic steps to file an appeal.

Although his Jackson County trial has concluded, Harris could face more trials in other counties for other alleged victims.

"I'm absolutely convinced that Billy is mentally ill regardless of the fact that the jury discounted that," he said. "I'm absolutely adamant David the dog and Bobby were the mastermind of the viscous attacks."

If he continues to represent Harris in future trials, he said he plans to continue to use the psychological defense.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 12:21:06 AM by MuffyBee » Logged

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« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2011, 12:20:34 AM »

http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/top_stories/Alleged-Twilight-Rapist-Sentenced-to-Life-20110930-ktbcw-apx
Alleged Twilight Rapist Sentenced to Life
September 30, 2011

EDNA, Texas (AP) — A former Texas prison employee suspected of a being a serial rapist who targeted older women was sentenced Friday to life in prison for sexually assaulting a disabled woman.

Jurors who deliberated Billy Joe Harris' sentence for less than 10 minutes also fined him $10,000, The Victoria Advocate reported (http://bit.ly/oaOYS1 ).

The jury also took less than 10 minutes last week to convict the former state prison worker of sexually assaulting a 59-year-old disabled woman in Edna, about 100 miles southwest of Houston.

Harris, 54, claimed he had been having an affair with the woman and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. But jurors rejected claims that he suffered from multiple personality disorder.

Authorities say DNA samples also link Harris to five other assaults or attempted assaults involving women 65 to 91 years old over two years in central and Southeast Texas.

Investigators believe Harris is "The Twilight Rapist," so named because most of the attacks happened just before dawn. The attacks rattled so many women that older volunteers at a Yoakum library in Southeast Texas began locking the doors during business hours and organizers at one community meeting gave away pepper spray as door prizes.

Authorities found evidence of careful planning at the many crime scenes, including cut phone lines outside homes.
More...
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« Reply #22 on: April 03, 2012, 10:20:30 AM »

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Elderly_Victim_of_Twilight_Rapist_Testifies_During_Trial_Monday_145875625.html
Elderly Victim of Twilight Rapist Testifies During Trial Monday
April 2, 2012

HUNTSVILLE (April 2, 2012) -- The man dubbed "the Twilight Rapist" is on trial in Huntsville for a home invasion in Marquez back in 2009. Billy Joe Harris has already been convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the sexual assault of a disabled woman in South Texas. Evidence from three separate crime scenes link Billy Joe Harris to Leon County and the first victim gave an emotional testimony Monday afternoon.
(Much more of the story)
 ::snipping2::
For months, the woman who was beat, burglarized and left a victim of attempted rape -- the man responsible had moved on to other victims in Edna, Texas. However, he got caught in the midst of a sexual assault in Edna – and the Twilight Rapist was finally apprehended. Harris’ arrest gave Leon County Investigators the break they were looking for. They obtained a search warrant to obtain DNA from Harris. His DNA matched the DNA found in the 80-year-old victim’s urine that morning he attempted to sexually assault her.

The trial will resume Tuesday morning at 9 a.m.
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« Reply #23 on: April 03, 2012, 10:34:43 AM »

http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2011/sep/21/sl_twilight_rapist_day6_092211_152795/?news&jackson-county

Twilight Rapist case settled in 10 minutes: GUILTY

Quote
Bell reminded the jury of the audio recording of the telephone call between Harris and his girlfriend during which Harris admitted putting on a show in court faking symptoms of mental illness.

"You heard that laugh, that evil laugh," Bell said. "He is laughing at the system, he's laughing at the state of Texas and he's laughing at you. He can't help himself. He's proud that he is going to con everyone that he is crazy."

Harris is facing a sentence of five to 99 years or life and a fine of up to $10,000.

 ::justice2NJ::
 
And this should put a quick end to any appeal he has.
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« Reply #24 on: April 10, 2012, 06:07:25 PM »

http://www.kcentv.com/story/17325472/twilight-rapist-returns-to-court
Victims Testify As "Twilight Rapist" Returns to Court
April 3, 2012

Video at Link
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« Reply #25 on: April 11, 2012, 12:26:10 PM »

The article below has a lot of information, besides the Case Chronology (Source:  Texas DPS) I've posted below.


http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Day_2_of_Twilight_Rapist_Trial_Harris_Kept_Shrine_of_Victims_Belongings_Inside_his_Home__146036575.html
According to Testimony in Twilight Rapist Trial: Harris Kept Shrine of Victims' Belongings
Posted April 3, 2012, Updated April 6, 2012

Case Chronology
(Source: Texas DPS)
January 21, 2009: Home invasion, rape in Yoakum
February 27, 2009: Home invasion, rape in Yoakum *DNA
July 3, 2009: Home burglary in Marquez (evidence recovered)
July 20, 2009: Home invasion, rape Marquez *DNA
August 14, 2009: Home invasion, rape Zabcikville (evidence recovered)
August 2009: Home burglary in Falls County
September 5, 2009: Home invasion and assault Marquez
September 11, 2009: Home invasion, assault Bell County *DNA
October 10, 2009: Home invasion, rape Falls County *DNA
October 24, 2009: Home invasion, assault, Centerville
November 9, 2009: Home invasion, assault Yoakum *DNA
November 24, 2009: Attempted home burglary Yoakum
November 24, 2009: Home invasion, fondling, Luling
December 24, 2009: Home burglary in Moody (evidence recovered)
March 1, 2010: Home invasion, assault, Moody
December 4, 2010: Home burglary in Edna (evidence recovered)
January 8, 2011: Attempted burglary Yoakum
January 8, 2011: Home invasion, rape Edna *DNA (arrest)

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« Reply #26 on: April 12, 2012, 10:16:52 PM »

http://itemonline.com/local/x101444646/-Twilight-Rapist-trial-nearing-end
“Twilight Rapist” trial nearing end
By Cody Stark Staff Reporter
April 11, 2012

HUNTSVILLE — The wife of a Houston man on trial for burglary of a habitation with intent to commit aggravated sexual assault of an elderly woman in Leon County testified Wednesday that she had no idea her husband was leading a secret life as a serial rapist.
 ::snipping2::
Billy Joe Harris was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the sexual assault of a disabled Edna woman in January 2011. DNA evidence from that crime linked him to a dozen more attacks, including the one he is currently on trial for in Huntsville after the defense was granted a change of venue from Leon County.

Harris is accused of breaking into an elderly woman’s residence in Marquez, which is 17 miles west of Centerville on Highway 7, in the early morning hours of July 20, 2009. The defendant attacked the woman before stealing several items, including two deer mounts and a computer tower, and fleeing.

After Harris was arrested on Jan. 8, 2009 when he was caught in the act of attacking the woman in Edna, DNA evidence linked him to the burglary in Marquez. An address book belonging to the Marquez victim was also found in Harris’ vehicle near the area he was arrested. The two deer mounts and computer were taken from his residence he shared with Darlene Harris. Those items were introduced into evidence during this trial, which began April 2.

Darlene Harris said she felt safe and comfortable with her husband and that the defendant was a loving father figure for her 9-year-old son from a previous relationship. The only thing she thought was weird was that Billy Joe Harris had several computers and quite a number of clocks in his possession, but she said she just thought he liked to collect them. She also said that her husband had claimed to have killed the two deer on a hunting trip.

It was disclosed during the trial in Edna and in Huntsville that those items, along with others such as guns, keys and a fur coat, were trophies Billy Joe Harris took from the homes of his victims.

When Darlene Harris learned that her husband had been arrested for aggravated assault, she testified that she was angry and confused and was still having problems trying to grasp the situation. She has since filed for divorce, but she said Billy Joe Harris is contesting it even though she has tried to give everything back and cut all ties with the defendant.
 ::snipping2::
Billy Joe Harris, as he did during the Edna trial, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. In Edna, the defense claimed the defendant suffered from multiple personality disorder.

Darlene Harris testified Wednesday that she never witnessed Billy Joe Harris act out of the ordinary, talk in strange voices or flop around on the floor as has been claimed by the defense.

The trial is set to resume today at 9 a.m.
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« Reply #27 on: April 14, 2012, 08:08:04 AM »

http://itemonline.com/local/x1789088325/-Twilight-Rapist-gets-99-years
“Twilight Rapist” gets 99 years
April 13, 2012

HUNTSVILLE — District Judge Ken Keeling said he wanted to send a message to criminals who prey on elderly people.

After finding Billy Joe Harris, the man known as the “Twilight Rapist,” guilty of burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit aggravated sexual assault against an 80-year-old Marquez woman, Keeling slapped the convicted felon with a 99-year sentence.

Harris, who did not show any emotion and just sat silently when the verdict was announced, will begin serving his 99-year sentence as soon as he finishes serving the life sentence he received after being convicted of sexually assaulting a disabled woman in Jackson County last year.

“I must assure these good people and other good people that if someone comes in and does this to our elderly women they will be punished severely,” Keeling said.

Harris had pleaded not guilty to the first-degree felony charge by reason of insanity as he did in Jackson County. The court heard testimony Friday from expert witnesses from the state and defense as to whether or not Harris suffered from a severe mental illness.

Dr. Gerald Harris, a psychologist from Houston, testified for the defense that he had diagnosed the defendant as being schizophrenic from years of alleged childhood sexual abuse which was never proven to have occurred.

Dr. Harris testified that he had given Billy Joe Harris tests and examined him and believed the defendant should be found not guilty because he was insane. Dr. Harris also said he felt that he diagnosed Billy Joe Harris correctly since the defendant seemed to be responding well to medication for schizophrenia.

Dr. Maureen Burrows, a forensic psychiatry specialist from Austin, was presented as the state’s rebuttal witness. She reviewed Harris’ mental records and examined his behaviors herself. After running tests, she determined that there were too many discrepancies that were not consistent with mentally ill people.

“I think he wants us to think he is crazy, but he does not know what crazy looks like,” Dr. Burrows said.
 ::snipping2::
Harris was arrested on Jan. 8, 2010 when he was caught in the act of sexually assaulting an elderly disabled woman in Edna. DNA evidence linked him to 15 other sexual assaults, including several others in Leon County.

The defense argued that Harris was sexually abused as a child and that caused him to have a mental break, which led to multiple personalities. The defendant claimed to hear voices and have hallucinations.

The state contended that Harris knew what he was doing was wrong because he wore gloves, made one victim take a bath and wash sheets to destroy DNA evidence and even cut the phone lines at some of the victims’ homes. He also stalked them and broke into their homes on multiple occasions.

The state also argued that Harris was acting like he was insane because other defenses had fallen through, such as his claim to have had consensual relationships with some of the victims.
 ::snipping2::
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