Gurwell v. Texas
Texas Court of Appeals
2008 WL 3867637 (2008)
- Written by Josh Lee, JD
Facts
Ryan Gurwell (defendant) contacted a person online, who used the name Emma. Gurwell believed the person was a 14-year-old girl. Gurwell engaged in a conversation online that eventually became sexually explicit. At one point, Gurwell referenced Emma losing her virginity. Gurwell and Emma agreed to meet at a local park. However, Gurwell’s last messages to Emma rejected a suggestion that they would go to Gurwell’s house and stated that they would just meet at the park and “see where it goes.” The person behind the Emma account was actually a police officer. Police arrested Gurwell when he arrived at the park. The State of Texas (plaintiff) charged Gurwell with online solicitation of a minor with intent to engage in sexual contact, and a jury convicted him. Gurwell appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Lagarde, J.)
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