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Zuliani found guilty in child abuse trialMan faces sentence of 2-10 yearsJason Goodrich and Teri BaileyDaily Texan StaffAfter eight days of testimony, Gerald Christopher Zuliani was found guilty Tuesday night of the beating death of his stepson, Christopher Wohlers.An 11-woman, one-man jury reached a verdict after 4‘/2 hours of deliberation. This was the second time in two years Zuliani was tried on the charges of reckless or intentional injury to a child in the death of Wohlers.The jury convicted Zuliani of reckless injury charges only. The. penalty for the conviction ranges from two to 10 years in prison, whereas an intentional injury charge carries a maximum penalty of 99 years to life.Neither the prosecuting nor defense attorneys acknowledged that the jury's verdict indicated a loss or a win.It was not what we asked for, said prosecuting attorney Rosemary Lehmberg of the lighter conviction. We thought the evidence clearly showed the defendant was guilty [of the intentional injury charge].Defense attorney Patrick Ganne said he was very depressed that our client was convicted.James Sawyer, Ganne's partner in the defense, added that the ruling will be reversed on appeal based on improper evidence presented by the prosecution.We will try again and again until hell freezes over or our client goes free, Sawyer said. There will come a day when he will walk and we won't rest until that happens.Zuliani's initial trial in October 19^0 was ruled a mistrial by District judge Mace Thurman after a transcript of the defendant's taped confession was accidentally shown to jury members.The eighth and final day in court began with new testimony from Zuliani's ex-girlfriend, Kim Bowman. Bowman was subpoenaed to appear before the jury as a character witness for the prosecution.“We will try again and again until hell freezes over or our client goes free. There will come a day when he wiil walk and we won’t rest until that happens.”— James Sawyer, assistant to the defenseShe characterized Zuliani as nice and easygoing when they first met in 1987. A month after they met, thev began dating and eventually began living together. Soon after that he made a change and became abusive and possessive. He was physically and mentally abusive, Bowman said.He pulled me by my hair, threw me against walls and hit me in my ears, she said.Bowman testified further that Zuliani hit her in the face once but said he did not want to because [the bruise] couldn't be covered up.As with Zuliani's relationship with Boutwell, Bowman said he also promised her he would seek help for his abusive tendencies.When he was abusive, he said he 'would really show me pain,' Bowman said.Bowman said when she decided she could no longer take Zuliani's abuse, she attempted suicide bv taking pills. But Bowman said Zuliani interrupted her attempt and beat her. They separated in July 1989.After listening to a taped interview with Bowman in October 1990, defense attorney James Sawyer called state prosecuting attorney Rosemary Lehmberg to the stand. He accused Lehmberg of concealing beneficial information from the defense and moved for an immediate mistrial, which was denied.The testimony in question quoted Bowman as saying Chris [Zuliani] liked kids. He was good with them.Deliberation on sentencing begins at 10 a.m. Wednesday.
Newspaper Details
Austin Daily Texan
Austin, Texas, US
Wed, Jan 29, 1992
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Jared T.
NA, NA 14 Aug 2023
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