HOUSTON (AP) — Three of the men accused in the sexual assault of an 11-year-old Cleveland girl two years ago have accepted plea deals rather than go to trial after another accused attacker was sentenced to 99 years without parole.
Of the 20 people charged in the attack, six juveniles and five adults have accepted plea deals. One defendant, Eric McGowen, decided to go to trial. McGowen, who disappeared during a break in his trial last month, was sentenced to 99 years after being found guilty of aggravated sexual assault.
The Houston Chronicle (bit.ly/QsFxiS) reports the latest to take plea deals are: 23-year-old Kelvin King; 20-year-old Jared McPherson; and 20-year-old Timothy Ellis.
They will be sentenced Sept. 21 in State District Judge Mark Morefield's court.
Cases remain pending against eight adult defendants.
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Information from: Houston Chronicle, http://www.houstonchronicle.com
