Waller County District Attorney Brian Middleton stated Thursday that a 49-year-old Houston man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for strangling his girlfriend nearly to death in 2021.
Judge Steve Rogers of the 268th District Court sentenced Andre Waller to 20 years in prison for felony assault and domestic violence. He only needed a few minutes to reveal Waller’s punishment.
According to lead prosecutor Jacquelyn Toman, Waller and his girlfriend were together in their Missouri City home in September 2021 when the defendant became enraged and kicked her in the chest, forcing her to fall backward. Waller kicked, punched, and dragged his victim around the floor for several hours, only stopping when their two-year-old daughter entered the room. During the assault, the defendant strangled the victim until she lost consciousness. Police observed bruises all over the woman’s body.
At trial, the State produced evidence of the defendant’s abuse of his girlfriend and a previous lady, as well as a prior felony drug conviction that resulted in prison time.
“We are grateful to not only our victim, who had the courage to come forward and testify against her abuser, but also to another victim who recounted the horrific abuse she endured from the defendant three decades earlier, Toman said. “With their cooperation, we secured a verdict that will ensure Waller never has another opportunity to harm these women or their families.”
The case was tried by Assistant District Attorney Jacquelyn Toman and Deputy Chief Johnny Wen, who are both assigned to the Domestic Violence division. Assault Family Violence is a second-degree crime punishable by 2 to 20 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000. Waller did not meet the requirements for probation.
“I am proud of the good work our prosecutors do to achieve justice for those who suffer at the hands of bad men,” said District Attorney Middleton. “And I am especially proud of these brave women who stood up to their abuser and helped us protect others who might otherwise fall prey to the defendant.”
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