Dateline: October 27, 2005

Jury sentences Harper to 20 years for assault

By Roger  Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

A Hall County jury last Wednesday convicted a former Clarendon man of sexually assaulting a child here last summer.

Darrell Harper, age 70, was found guilty of a second degree felony and was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in prison and fined $10,000.

“The jury took a stand for children with their verdict,” said 100th Judicial District Attorney Stuart Messer. “When people are given the opportunity to serve on a jury such as this one, it is critically important that they take their responsibility as seriously as these jurors did.”

A Donley County Grand Jury indicted Harper in May, but the case was moved to Memphis for trial. The defendant was represented by Jerry Courtney of Clarendon.

Harper, who is a resident of Amarillo, was accused of assaulting a mentally challenged girl on or about June 2, 2004. The girl was 16 at the time of the crime. Harper pled not guilty to the charge.

Messer said he appreciated the people who showed up for jury selection ready to serve despite any inconvenience.

“By sending such a strong message to anyone thinking of molesting a child, the jurors have not only provided justice in this case but have also helped to deter any others thinking of hurting children,” Messer said. “I can think of no higher duty than protecting our children.”

As of Tuesday, Harper remained in the Donley County Jail awaiting transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.