In court, defendants are often given a chance to explain their actions. In some cases, especially child abuse cases, the only appropriate response is an apology and an acknowledgement of wrongdoing.
However, some, like the father of a six-year-old, attempt to justify their actions instead. The father in question, identified as Wilberth Villamil, stood accused of assaulting his own six-year-old daughter.
The Texas court judge, identified as Stephanie Boyd, appeared stunned at his attempt to explain his actions, as the father believed that the severity of his prosecution was unjustified. He pleaded no contest to the charges against him.
When asked why the judge should approve the plea deal, the attorney representing Villamil said his client had been cooperative throughout the process. The charge could have carried a sentence of anywhere between five and 99 years, or life in prison. The plea deal instead called for 15 years.
“This case is horrible,” said Judge Boyd. When she questioned the defendant directly, his explanation drew widespread criticism once footage of the hearing circulated online, with many viewers calling him “dangerous.” He repeatedly tried to justify his actions by claiming that his daughter had exposed herself to him.
His attorney also noted that Villamil himself had experienced abuse as a child, but it did little to soften the judge’s stance. According to his attorney, Villamil had been honest with the police about what he did. It was further revealed that the plea deal was accepted in part to avoid retraumatizing the child with a lengthy court battle that would have required her to recount the entire ordeal publicly.
Villamil had lived in the United States since he was two, but was not a U.S. citizen. He was also in the midst of a divorce case. Upon his release from prison, he will likely be deported to Mexico and will never regain custody of his children.
The judge expresses skepticism regarding the proposed 15-year plea agreement, describing the case as one that warrants a life sentence, while adding that the court would be willing to accept a plea of 20 years if they choose to reconfer and come back to court with that adjusted agreement. According to news reports, Villamil’s defense attorney refused to accept the rushed change and withdrew the plea.
Comments under the video, uploaded to YouTube via the channel Jury Reacts, were highly critical of the father and his conduct.
One user wrote, “He doesn’t get it. He feels it’s an injustice, so he is the most dangerous kind of offender.” Another commented, “This guy is truly a menace. He had a warped sense of responsibility. He’ll never be reformed. LIFE WOPOP.” A third user wrote, “I will never understand the attorneys that defend these people. I bet he sleeps like a freaking baby, too.” A fourth one commented, “Thank you Judge for forcing this monster to explain himself. This guy should get 20 years minimum. In any case, his jail mates will take the matter.”
Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.
