[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6211149,"mediaKeyId","3699469-6025f6f83d5b7dc17a9a43456515b9d9","parentId",3699469,"title","Judge denies directed‑verdict request on two counts; defense begins presenting witnesses in Alexander Rodriguez trial","audioSeconds",8553,"startMs",1037000,"endMs",9590000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699469-6025f6f83d5b7dc17a9a43456515b9d9&start=1037&end=9590","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699469-6025f6f83d5b7dc17a9a43456515b9d9/thumbnail_1037000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6211149/Texas/Judge-denies-directedverdict-request-on-two-counts-defense-begins-presenting-witnesses-in-Alexander-Rodriguez-trial","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211149-89b76140c7b441633536bf51d9ffd0ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770884265&Signature=Y2QbnVd20yxu3BNRds17JU66yDdFGR5g-BUAz5TYU5l0SzlBfacyywxDkJDbVkWpJZzjqnoNbSrpg-ij6-Hn-Ly8cmrRrPSQgdhomHRd08MdoEmqSGvFTFhBqtp~csSacNxmqbh3W2kTIHvqYwC6kzA~uXJxM1Ql86Z-DI0oFMHdbR7xnIM0RsSz~tRE7UwTcpvTVJjRkrqiLTwku-fJsHMY69QcMagoqV45BKSKQ63eL-FLpK-RI3meXu7fCI2XucDDf-WfLIkSzR0yHNqiK-uoKcu~x~1J~-kWInOtzEUwl9TnMJ3xG1QxQIwk-U8DL3~SD2j4YJlXR4vabFE5pQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-06T21:23:36Z","article","The 187th District Court continued the jury trial in State of Texas v. Alexander Rodriguez, during which Judge Stephanie Boyd denied the defense's motion for a directed verdict on counts alleging inappropriate touching and allowed the defense to begin calling its witnesses.

Defense counsel moved for a directed verdict on count 1 (subsection dispute) and counts 2 and 3, arguing the state lacked corroborating physical evidence, DNA, photographs or cell‑phone data. The prosecutor responded that the complainant and other witnesses had testified to elements of the offenses. Judge Boyd denied the directed‑verdict motion as to counts 2 and 3 and said she would review the record for specific testimony on the penetration element in count 1 before ruling.

After the court's rulings, the defense called multiple witnesses. Maryam (Maryam Lisa) Every (introduced on the record) testified that she was Alex Rodriguez's ex‑fiancé, described household composition when Emily visited and said she had not observed signs of sexual abuse in the younger child's behavior or body; she testified that Child Protective Services (CPS) interviewed the household and that the family cooperated. Defense counsel elicited testimony about sleep arrangements, school and recreational activities and that, in the witness's view, Emily did not show overt signs of physical abuse while in that home.

The defense also presented Clarissa Herrera, identified in court as Emily Rodriguez's mother. Herrera acknowledged a prior intimate relationship with Alex Rodriguez and described extensive communication and contact over several years, including disputes over child support and occasional messages after the 2022 outcry. On cross‑examination Herrera disputed responsibility for signing a submitted administrative form (the transcript reflects a dispute about a signature reading “Clarissa Rivera”) and acknowledged CPS involvement in prior family investigations; she testified she believes the abuse occurred and said she cooperated with the CPS and forensic interview process. Herrera gave Emily's date of birth on the record as Nov. 2007 and said Emily was about 17 at the time of testimony.

Christina (Christina Ontiveros) — identified on the record as Rodriguez's mother — testified she had hosted Alex, that Emily visited and sometimes slept at the home, and that she did not observe inappropriate touching or notice wounds, seminal fluid or other physical signs. She described normal family activities (movies, amusement parks, swim meets) and said she had not heard suspicious noises at night while living in a single‑story home with thin walls.

Defense counsel introduced demonstrative material and testimony about a physical modification described as “pearling” to visualize the defendant's anatomy; the court permitted the demonstrative to be shown to the jury for illustration. The defense also moved and introduced certified documents including a petition in a suit affecting the parent‑child relationship; the court admitted at least one defense exhibit (listed on the record as defense exhibit 32).

Throughout testimony, the defense emphasized gaps the counsel described as a lack of physical corroboration and inconsistent statements by witnesses, while the prosecutor argued the jury could draw reasonable inferences from testimony and forensic interviews. Judge Boyd repeatedly instructed about rules on testimony and indicated she would conduct a brief hearing outside the jury's presence on an outcry/witness‑related matter before bringing the jury back.

The court recessed the jury at the close of the day's testimony; the judge instructed jurors to return the next day at 1:30 p.m. The defense said it expected to call additional witnesses on the following day.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","FRI., JUNE 6, 2025/JUDGE STEPHANIE BOYD/187TH DISTRICT COURT/AFT DOC & JURY: STATE VS RODRIGUEZ","oneSentenceSummary","During the jury trial in State v. Alexander Rodriguez, the court denied the defense's directed‑verdict motion on counts alleging inappropriate touching, and the defense called several witnesses who testified about family dynamics, visiting arrangements and historical interactions with the alleged victim.","taxTitle","Judge Stephanie Boyd 187th District, District Court Judges, Judicial, Texas","taxId",66298,"location","Texas","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6211155,"Judge accepts deferred adjudication in aggravated-assault case against Christopher Cruz",623,126000,749000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3699469-6025f6f83d5b7dc17a9a43456515b9d9&start=126&end=749","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3699469-6025f6f83d5b7dc17a9a43456515b9d9/thumbnail_126000.jpg","/articles/6211155/Texas/Judge-accepts-deferred-adjudication-in-aggravated-assault-case-against-Christopher-Cruz","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6211155-dfe441955b116f4d00ea2f3c330f8ebe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770884265&Signature=iENruDBCeKmWAqmEY4BY71qUItbvqqdGUgFBxpP14nzw5QI805LxsQbtZoYg66qcO3V0CANaNrT~0jAB6ZEQs5VvQXTIDi2rlRZuvehRnhzZDpcBK6YbuD49m4WNOI3Gv3UlCkbyxcMUSGi9gFrh7WS4T-cFcrBQwgMvKRgLUOxtmlV1BkT3N~~E06sIeMQGDIWqWhGkXMN4THrSjKjldWqGor9Rv60CWmzBrOd-tw-YX8sdT9dP1l6xUbA-Xvoj1vydYGvTTM7Oshw0yF8ZEpcVAArtxU5-p3BrxMFVbX13BsAwFJqpuV7MuzvCDc3-Su5smqxDSbW5UOWM3mHZHw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Judge Stephanie Boyd accepted an application for deferred adjudication from Christopher Cruz in a hearing on an aggravated-assault charge, imposing probationary conditions and an affirmative finding of family violence and deadly weapon.

The plea hearing established that Cruz faces a second-degree felony carrying “a range of punishment … from 2 to 20 years in prison and up to $10,000 fine,” the judge said while ensuring Cruz understood the consequences of entering a plea and waiving trial rights.

The court deferred a finding of guilt and imposed the following conditions, as described on the record: a $1,500 fine to be probated, six years of deferred adjudication/community supervision, 100 hours of community-service restitution, anger-management classes, a TAP evaluation with follow recommendations, a gang evaluation, random urinalysis testing, proof of employment within 30 days of release, and no employment as a home‑health provider or work/residence with minors. The judge ordered there be no contact with the complainant (identified in court as Samuel Cruz) and made affirmative findings of family violence and use of a deadly weapon; the affirmative family‑violence finding carries a court-imposed prohibition on owning or possessing weapons or ammunition.

The court explained to Cruz that the deferred adjudication could be revoked later and, if revoked, the defendant could be found guilty and sentenced up to the statutory maximum for the charged offense. The judge also confirmed defense counsel’s representations about available defenses and competency.

Judge Boyd explained reporting requirements and enforcement: regular reporting either by Zoom or in person, random UAs, monthly field visits, and that missed appointments could result in arrest warrants for probation violations. The court noted a referral to felony drug court was being made and that in‑custody TAP evaluations could take two to three weeks; the judge directed probation and other conditions be monitored by supervising officers.

Cruz told the court “Yes, ma’am” when asked to confirm his plea choice and waiver of appeal on the record. Defense counsel confirmed the plea as presented on the record.

The court closed by instructing the probation office on supervision and confirming the defendant understood the terms and conditions stated on the record.","In 187th District Court, Judge Stephanie Boyd accepted an application for deferred adjudication from Christopher Cruz, imposed a probated $1,500 fine and ordered a six-year term of community supervision with conditions including an affirmative finding of deadly weapon and family violence.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Judge denies directed‑verdict request on two counts; defense begins presenting witnesses in Alexander Rodriguez trial

Judge accepts deferred adjudication in aggravated-assault case against Christopher Cruz