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Double Life Sentences Upheld on Appeal

countycriminal.com

A Quinlan man has lost the appeals of the back-to-back life sentences he received after being convicted last year. The Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana issued its opinion Tuesday in the case of Michael Charles Hill.

If Hill survives, he will likely be more than 100 years old before he is ever released from prison.

Hill was convicted in April 2012 of one count each of sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by sexual contact.

The jury in the case assessed the maximum sentence of life in prison on both counts.

Following a punishment hearing in the 196th District Court, Judge Steve Tittle agreed to stack Hill’s sentences. On appeal, Hill argued the judgment was not supported by legally sufficient evidence and that the State failed to give written notice of its intent to “seek an enhanced penalty.” But Chief Justice Josh R. Morriss III said Tuesday that both elements were met by the prosecution.

A life prison sentence meant Hill would spend a minimum of 30 years in prison before he would be eligible to be considered for parole. Consecutive life sentences raised the minimum to 60 years in prison.

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