NATION : Man Accused of In-Law Assault
LUBBOCK, Tex. — A man was arraigned today on a charge of sexually assaulting his wife’s mentally retarded sister after tests comparing his blood to that of the victim’s baby linked him to the crime, authorities said.
Jimmy Wooten, 40, was charged with sexually assaulting his 33-year-old sister-in-law, Debra Lynn Thomas, who police said has the mental capacity of a 2-year-old.
Thomas gave birth to a boy, David Lynn Thomas, Jan. 1. She lives at the Lubbock State School for the Mentally Retarded, whose employees had come under suspicion of sexual misconduct in the case.
Justice of the Peace L. J. Blalack set Wooten’s bond at $250,000 during the arraignment hearing today. Wooten was arrested Thursday.
“I am innocent,” Wooten said as he left the courtroom.
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