A Texas court has upheld the conviction of Willietroy Black for the felony offense of indecency with a child by sexual contact. The Texas Court of Appeals, 10th District, ruled on June 18, 2026, affirming the jury's decision to sentence Black to five years in prison. This ruling comes after a jury found him guilty based on allegations made by a child who stayed with him and his wife in 2018.
The case centers around the allegations made by a young girl identified as J.B., who claimed that Black touched her inappropriately during her visit to his home. The court's decision is significant as it reinforces the seriousness of offenses against children and the legal system's commitment to addressing such cases.
Black's conviction stems from incidents that occurred while J.B. was staying with her grandparents, Black and his wife, Debbie, in Waxahachie, Texas. During her three-week stay in 2018, J.B. reported that Black had groped her and later assaulted her in the bathroom. The case escalated when J.B.'s parents noticed changes in her behavior and, upon inquiry, she disclosed the incidents to them. This prompted an investigation, leading to Black's arrest and subsequent trial.
During the trial, J.B. testified about her experiences, detailing how Black had touched her inappropriately. Additionally, another witness, D.H., Black's adult niece, provided testimony about her own experiences of sexual abuse by Black. This testimony helped establish a pattern of behavior that was crucial to the prosecution's case.
Black did testify in his defense, claiming that the allegations were a misunderstanding and that he had not touched J.B. inappropriately. He argued that J.B. was upset with her parents for disciplining her over her use of a tablet, which he believed could have influenced her testimony against him.
The court addressed several issues raised by Black in his appeal. One of the main arguments was that the trial court erred by allowing a nurse to provide opinion testimony regarding J.B.'s credibility. The court ruled that while expert testimony about a victim's truthfulness is not permissible, the nurse's findings were consistent with signs of sexual abuse, which did not violate any legal standards.
Another point of contention was Black's claim that the trial court improperly excluded evidence related to J.B.'s prior sexual behavior. Black argued that this evidence would have provided context for J.B.'s motives. However, the court found that even if there was an error in excluding this evidence, it did not significantly affect the outcome of the trial.
Finally, Black contended that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new trial without a hearing. The court ruled that Black had not adequately requested a hearing, which meant he could not claim that the trial court had made an error in this regard.
The court ultimately concluded that Black's rights were not violated during the trial and that the evidence presented was sufficient for the jury to reach its verdict. Chief Justice Matt Johnson delivered the opinion, joined by Justices Smith and Harris.
This ruling has implications for future cases involving similar allegations, as it underscores the importance of thorough investigations and the legal system's role in protecting children from abuse. The decision also highlights the challenges defendants face in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct, particularly when the evidence is compelling.
Looking ahead, it is unclear whether Black will seek further appeals. However, the Texas Court of Appeals' decision sets a precedent for how courts may handle similar cases in the future, particularly regarding the admissibility of evidence and the treatment of child witnesses in court.