Jury sentences Kingsland man to 75 years for home invasion, attacking woman in bed
LLANO — A 50-year-old Kingsland man accused of breaking into a woman’s home and attacking her in bed received a 75-year sentence, officials said.
The victim, who was 62 at the time, fought back by biting the assailant, who then ran away.
Patrick Womble, who has a lengthy criminal history according to prosecutors, was handed a 75-year sentence during the two-day trial in 424th state District Judge Dan Mills’ court.
"This case, however, is unique because it involved a burglary with an attempted rape," said District Attorney Sam Oatman March 27. "The victim was brave and fought back, saving herself from additional trauma."
In addition to the conviction on a charge of burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit another felony, Womble will have to register as a sex offender for life if he is paroled, said prosecutor Stacy Street.
"This verdict will send a strong message to our community that this type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Street said in a press release.
The case unfolded Dec. 19, 2009, in a small retirement community in Kingsland, investigators said. Womble lived close to the victim, officials said.
The intruder entered the home through a door inadvertently left unlocked and then accosted the woman in her bed, prosecutors said. She lived alone.
Before the man could assault her, the woman fought back — including biting him on the arm until he fled, officials said.
Based on the woman’s description, deputies arrested Womble later that.
Eddie Shell represented Womble, who did not take the stand.
Womble claimed the woman invited him into her home, then attacked him and bit him on the arm, investigators testified.
During the punishment phase of the trial, the jury heard about Womble’s numerous convictions, including imprisonment at a penitentiary for a 1985 burglary in California, prosecutors said.