Man sentenced to 70 years in prison for branding woman

16 August 2019 at 9:30 am

A Texas man has been sentenced to 70 years in prison after a jury convicted him of felony assault for heating up a belt buckle and using it to brand his girlfriend.

The Parker County District Attorney's Office says 39-year-old David Shawn Minze was sentenced Wednesday.

Prosecutors say Minze was tried as a habitual offender because he had six prior felony convictions, including an assault conviction involving the same victim.

Mugshot of David Shawn Minze with a picture of belt buckle bearing the letter 'S'. — David Shawn Minze (left) used this belt buckle (right) to brand his girlfriend. Source: Parker County District Attorney's Office

Prosecutors say Minze, who goes by Shawn, in December 2018 used a lighter to heat up a western-style belt buckle bearing a large letter "S'' and then branded the woman's body, leaving a scar.

The woman also testified that Minze choked her and covered her face with a pillow.

Minze's attorney says he intends to appeal the conviction and sentence.

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