BRENHAM MAN SENTENCED TO 99 YEARS IN PRISON
Alan Domingo Diaz, 27, was sentenced by Judge Carson Campbell to 99 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice today after a jury trial last month. Diaz was convicted by a jury of Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a Second Degree Felony, on June 11, 2015, for an offense that occurred in the Washington County Jail in February of 2013. A sentencing hearing was set for today, July 10. Assistant District Attorneys Eric Berg and Lauren Haevischer represented the State at trial, and Lee Van Richardson and Elizabeth Zweiner represented the Defendant.
On January 1, 2013 the defendant was arrested for a Burglary of Habitation occurring hours earlier. At the jail, another person arrested with Diaz gave a written statement implicating Diaz in the burglary. On February 11, 2013, Diaz attacked the witness against him, punching him in the head repeatedly. As a result of the assault, the witness lost sight in his left eye and has undergone multiple surgeries attempting to repair the eye.
Diaz’s sentence came after a hearing and presentation of evidence by the State and defense. The pre-sentence investigation included Diaz’s prior felony conviction and prison sentence as well as multiple misdemeanor convictions and many incidents of jail misconduct while in custody awaiting trial. The prior conviction elevated the range of punishment for this offense from 2 to 20 years confinement to 5 to 99, or life.
During argument, Diaz’s attorney requested the judge to sentence his client to the minimum 5 years. First Assistant Eric Berg did not ask for a specific sentence but pointed out that, “Alan Diaz has demonstrated throughout his life that he cannot abide by the laws of our society. The only way to protect our community from such a person is to send him to prison.” Afterward, Berg explained, “We often hear ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’ relating to an accused person. Mr. Diaz has turned that on its head with his antics, frivolous claims, and destructive behavior. He’s delayed justice for the victims and for the community, and today that caught up to him.”
Regarding the delays, District Attorney Julie Renken explained, “Diaz has spent over two years claiming mental health issues, requesting and firing attorneys, and abusing the system to delay his trial.” “During that time,” she continued, “he has caused damage to, and chaos in, our jail.”
Speaking later, Renken commented, “I can’t thank my office enough for their hard work and dedication to this case. More importantly, I sincerely appreciate the jail staff. Our jailers have endured hardship and grief for every minute Diaz spent in our jail.” Asked about the sentence, Renken said, “I couldn’t be more pleased. 99 years sends a message to any criminal that wants to play these same games that you cannot abuse the system to avoid justice.”