A Shreveport man accused of beating and severely injuring his girlfriend in front of her young child two years ago was found guilty in Caddo District Court Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
Robert Charles Willis, 53, faces up to 10 years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a fine of up to $5,000 when he returns to District Judge Ramona Emanuel’s courtroom for sentencing April 26, 2022.
The five-man, seven-woman jury deliberated just over an hour before returning its verdict. It returned a responsive verdict of guilty of aggravated battery and guilty-as-charged of domestic abuse child endangerment. The trial commenced Monday, March 21, 2022, with final jury empanelling and the first presentation of evidence and witness testimony in the afternoon. The jury heard closing arguments Wednesday.
The jury determined that on October 15, 2020, Willis went to the house he shared with the victim in the 12000 block of Johns Gin Road, where he punched and stabbed her numerous times, causing injuries to her jaw, shoulder and body. The victim managed to call her father during the attack. Hearing his daughter and her child screaming in the background, the father called 911, which led to law enforcement going to the residence. The victim was taken to Ochsner LSU Hospital where she was treated and received stitches. She continues to have medical struggles as a result of the injuries she suffered at Willis’s hands.
Willis has convictions for aggravated assault from 1994, violation of a protective order from 2003 and domestic abuse battery from 2010.
In addition to as much as 10 years and the fine, Willis could receive a prison term of up to three years for domestic abuse child endangerment.
Willis was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Senae D. Hall and Nancy Berger-Schneider. He was defended by Royal Alexander and Katherine Evans
.