Sentencing Phase Under Way
HOUSTON -- A heated argument broke out in downtown Houston Friday morning in front of the Harris County courthouse where the punishment phase of convicted rapper Carlos Coy was under way.
The fight involved two families. The family of the 9-year-old victim wants Coy to receive the maximum sentence, while Coy's family believes he was wrongfully convicted and should not be sent to prison.
Members of both families screamed at each other in front of shocked onlookers. The argument broke out shortly after the trial was dismissed for the weekend.
"We want to see justice done," said a victim's family member. "We want to see justice done."
Police rushed to the scene to break them apart.
Jurors convicted Coy, also known as the "South Park Mexican," on Saturday of sexually assaulting the girl at his southeast Houston home back in September.
Coy faces a sentence from five years' probation to life in prison.
Coy's wife testified Friday that they've had several girls at their home and that Coy never bothered them.
"I'm supporting him. I'm with him 100 percent, " said Gina Acosta, Coy's wife. "He says everything is going to be OK. After the next appeal, everything is going to be proven. He's innocent. There has been no evidence whatsoever -- only hearsay."
Prosecutors said that Coy is a child predator who deserves to be locked up.
During the punishment phase of the trial, eight women testified that they had sex with Coy when they were 12 years old, 13 years old and 14 years old.
On cross-examination, prosecutors asked Acosta if she was aware that her husband had sex with all of those girls.
She testified, "Yes, I'm aware. I've seen it all over the news."
Prosecutors then asked if she believed it.
She testified, "Absolutely not."
The sentencing phase in Coy's trial will continue Tuesday after a break for the Memorial Day holiday.
Defense attorneys have not decided whether to put Coy on the stand to testify on his own behalf.
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