Terry Lee Hayden, 38, was civilly committed as a Sexually Violent Predator in the 253rd District Court by Judge Chap Cain III in Liberty County on May 14. This decision comes in light of Hayden’s previous convictions, including Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Contact in 2006.
Hayden was set to be released from prison, prompting the intervention of the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office, which filed a suit to prevent his return to the community. The case was prosecuted by Marc Gault and Rachel Jordan, attorneys with the Special Prosecution Unit.
Expert testimony from Dr. Darrell Turner, a forensic psychologist specializing in sexually violent predators and behavioral abnormality, shed light on Hayden’s troubled history.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed Hayden’s alarming criminal record dating back to his youth, including encounters with law enforcement from the age of 10, involvement in drug-related activities, and prior convictions. Hayden’s risk for re-conviction was determined to be high, and assessments placed him in the High Psychopathic Range.
“Hayden did not demonstrate any rehabilitation while in prison and received disciplinary cases throughout his incarceration for Sexual Misconduct,” according to a statement from the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office.
Following a swift deliberation, the jury unanimously found Hayden to be a Sexually Violent Predator. As a result, he will undergo intensive in-patient sex offender treatment at the Littlefield Texas Civil Commitment Center, with his release into the community contingent upon a psychologist’s determination that he no longer poses a threat.
Reflecting on the sentence, Prosecutor Gault said, “Terry Hayden is a persistent sexual predator who poses a significant risk to the community.”
District Attorney Jennifer L. Bergman echoed those sentiments, adding, “There are men in this world who have and always will pose a danger to the community. Terry Hayden is one of those individuals. I am thankful that a jury in Liberty County was willing to see Hayden for who and what he is and make sure that he remains incarcerated and unable to harm any other children in our communities. He is where he belongs.”
Spending more taxpayer money on trash.