Lufkinite sentenced to prison for beating man in wheelchair

http://www.lufkindailynews.com/hp/content/news/stories/2008/12/31/Maddux_Sentence.html

By BRITTONY LUNDThe Lufkin Daily News
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
A judge on Tuesday sentenced a Lufkin man to 10 years in prison for beating a partially paralyzed and wheelchair-bound man on Halloween night in 2007.
David Maddux, 44, pleaded guilty on Oct. 21 of this year to committing injury to the disabled, a first-degree felony. According to testimony in court Tuesday, Maddux admitted to hitting victim Chris Skelton, but suggested someone else had beaten Skelton worse later.
"He did admit to punching him a few times, but he denied he caused the injuries," said Lisa Page, a probation officer who spoke with Maddux while preparing a pre-sentencing report for state District Judge Paul White. "He suggested someone else may have come in to burglarize the house after he left that night."

Skelton's brother, William Skelton, testified that Chris Skelton's home had, in fact, been burglarized at least three times in the past. But Chris Skelton told his brother and investigators that David Maddux had beat him up.
Chris Skelton suffered a stroke several years ago that left him wheelchair-bound and unable to speak clearly.

"He can say a few things if you'll be very patient with him," William Skelton said. "He knows what he's trying to say."
Since the assault, Skelton said, his brother falls down a lot more and has lost most of his front teeth. In addition, he said his brother, who used to show little fear of anything, now trembles at the sight of his attacker.