Former Holliday High School Coach Norris Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
By: Melissa Foy
Updated: March 22, 2013
A former Holliday High School softball coach originally indicted on 13 charges relating to engaging in a sexual relationship with one of his students now knows his punishment.
He's sentenced to two five-year prison sentences which will run concurrently. He will get 103 days credit to his sentence for time he's already served in jail. Prosecutor Dobie Kosub says this is the first improper relationship with a student case in Wichita County in which a person has been sentneced to prison time.
In 30th District Court Wednesday morning, David Austin Norris pleaded guilty to one count of improper relationship with a student and one count of sexual assault. The other eight charges for which he was indicted were dismissed. In a rare defendant statement in front of the courtroom, Norris apologized for his actions.
"I'd like to express my most sincere apology to the victim and her family, to the community, to my own friends and family, and specifically to my wife," Norris said.
-For Norris' full testimony click here-
-For Norris' full testimony click here-
Norris' attorney commented after the hearing.
"I believe that he's accepted responsibility for what he did, and after a frank assessment, he made the choice to enter a plea based on what he believed was in his best interest," Bob Estrada, Norris' Attorney said.
Norris said, "My actions are inexcusable and unjustifiable. They in no way reflect my true character at heart. In accepting responsibility for and the consequences of my actions, I will not let this define me as a person."
Court documents also show the offenses occurred between May first, 2011 and April first 2012. The victim was 16-years-old at the time of the incidents. Even though his client has taken responsibility for the assaults, Estrada says Norris is not a threat to other teenage girls.
"For one thing, I have had an independent assessment that was done by an expert, sex offender treatment provided, that rated him a very low-risk danger to society and other potential victims," said Estrada.
At the close of the hearing, the victim delivered a powerful impact statement. She told Norris that every part of her life has been affected by his manipulation and lies, she's glad he's been exposed for the monster he is, and he picked the wrong little girl to mess with.
Norris is scheduled to be sentenced for his three remaining charges out of Archer County Friday morning, so he's potentially facing even more punishment.
