John T. Blaylock

John Blaylock

This review was written by the family of Israel Leyva, who was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and received 27 years in prison; on Cameron County case number 14-DCR-2629-A. I of course take full responsibility and I understand the anger of the family. However, I ask that you be fair in criticism. This case had not one child, but two children who testified to the same sexual abuse. When there are two children saying the same thing, the case becomes very difficult. Yet we were able to put on the best defense possible. So to say there was no evidence is disingenuous at best and misleading at worst. Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first degree felony and because the child was younger than 14 years old, probation was not an option for the jury. Therefore after conviction, a defendant is not entitled to bond "to get his affairs in order". That was the judge's decision, not mine, although his hands were tied by the law. Being upset about a verdict is understandable, especially if you really hoped it would have gone the other way. I realize that, however, I try a lot of cases and this is the first loss I've had in several years and I'm very sorry for what your family is going through.