Judge Boyd sentences defendants, hears appeals to use faith-based program as alternative to prison

SAN ANTONIO — Judge Stephanie Boyd of the 187th District Court issued prison and probation sentences in several cases during a docket call while hearing extended testimony from family members and leaders of a local faith-based residential program who asked the court to make program participation part of a defendant’s supervision.

The most contested hearing concerned Daniel Morales, who the court found guilty on multiple family-violence–related charges and imposed concurrent five-year prison terms under negotiated pleas. Family members and program representatives urged the court to instead require Morales to enroll in the Discipleship School Ministry (DSM), a local faith-based residential program they said offers structured counseling, work training and addiction support.

Judge Boyd heard from Morales’s grandmother and brother, who described him as a person who “tries really hard” when employed, and from Pastor Fabian (program leader), who told the court the DSM provides a structured regimen, counseling and vocational training and said the program would “welcome” Morales and could provide discipline and supervised care. Despite that advocacy, the court pronounced the five-year sentences. The judge said she would "retain…