Billingslea v. State
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
780 S.W.2d 271 (1989)
- Written by Walter Machniki, JD
Facts
Hazel Billingslea was a 94-year-old, bedridden woman living with her son (defendant) and his family. Texas Social Services came to check on Ms. Billingslea and found her to be neglected and severely injured from this neglect. Her son was charged with the crime of injury to an elderly individual under Texas law. He was originally convicted, but the court of appeals overturned this conviction and ordered his acquittal. The court of appeals found that there was no statutory duty to act and thus the son could not be convicted of a crime for failing to act when he had no duty to do so. The Court of Criminal Appeals heard the appeal of this acquittal.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Duncan, J.)
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