Kyle, Texas — A Hays County jury has handed down a 65-year prison sentence to Andy Wayne Carty for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, marking a pivotal moment in a case involving severe domestic violence against his girlfriend. The verdict was announced by the office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins.
The jury also found Carty guilty on multiple charges, including continuous family violence, assault impeding breath or circulation, and violating a protective order, each carrying an additional five-year sentence to run concurrently. He will be eligible for parole only after serving 30 years of his sentence for aggravated assault.
The trial, which lasted two weeks, was overseen by Judge Joe Pool and began on February 3. It detailed a series of violent incidents involving Carty, his partner, and their two young daughters on January 31 and February 25 of this year.
On the first occasion, a domestic dispute escalated when Carty violently slammed his girlfriend against a wall, causing serious injuries while the children watched in horror. When one of the daughters attempted to call for help, Carty seized the phone. The mother and her children managed to escape to the garage, where they barricaded themselves in a vehicle and called 911. Carty was arrested and released on bond the following day.
The situation intensified on the second incident when Carty forcibly entered the home in the early morning hours by climbing through an unlocked window. He was found barefoot and clad only in boxer shorts. Inside, he concealed devices that could summon help and engaged in a harrowing assault against the victim, threatening her life while she lay in bed beside one of their children.
As the assault progressed, Carty strangled the woman, nearly rendering her unconscious, and struck her multiple times with a 10-pound dumbbell. He also brandished a long hunting knife and attempted to duct-tape his family’s mouths shut, heightening the horror of the scene.
The struggle near the front door led to a frantic escape as the children fled to a neighbor’s home while their mother fought off Carty and managed to follow them. Local law enforcement responded quickly, and the woman was taken for medical treatment. Carty evaded capture initially but was located later that morning following an extensive manhunt by the Kyle Police Department.
Prosecutors Jon English and Claudia Garcia commented on the efforts of the victims and law enforcement that contributed to Carty’s conviction. “The defendant was brought to justice thanks to heroic actions from everyday people,” English said. He praised the victim’s bravery, her children’s courage, and the dedication of the police in combating domestic violence.
Garcia emphasized the role of the district attorney’s office in ensuring the safety of victims and stressed their commitment to pursuing justice in domestic violence cases. “This sentence serves as a clear message that domestic violence carries severe penalties,” she stated.
The prosecution team included several key members who collaborated in bringing the case to trial, reflecting a unified effort to address the issues of domestic violence in the community. The resolution of this case highlights both the challenges faced by victims and the importance of legal actions in seeking justice and protection.