Lawyer eyes release of sexual assault suspect

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January 11, 2013

Lawyer eyes release of sexual assault suspect

By BRAD KELLAR Herald-Banner Staff The Herald-Banner Fri Jan 11, 2013, 04:00 AM CST

GREENVILLE — The attorney for a local man, charged with allegedly sexually assaulting a Greenville teenager who later was found murdered, is seeking to have her client released from jail.

Attorney Carol Day Gustin has filed a writ of habeas corpus, seeking release because of delay, on behalf of Terry Dwayne Ramsire.

Ramsire, 49, received two indictments from the Hunt County grand jury in September; one for aggravated sexual assault of a child and another for indecency with a child by sexual contact, alleging he sexually assaulted Alicia Chanta Moore on multiple occasions in July 2012.

The former is a first degree felony, carrying a maximum sentence upon conviction of up to life in prison and the latter charge is a second degree felony which carries a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

Ramsire was arrested on the charges on August 23 and has remained in custody at the Hunt County Jail since that time in lieu of a total of $70,000 bond.

Gustin is seeking Ramsire’s release on a personal recognizance or, in the alternative, a reduction in the bond total as Ramsire has been in custody for more than 90 days and the prosecution is not yet ready to proceed to trial in the case.

A hearing on the writ is scheduled next Wednesday in the 354th District Court.

Ramsire was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to both indictments September 27 during a hearing in the 354th District Court.

Gustin had filed multiple motions with the court; including seeking a list of the prosecution’s witnesses, any exculpatory or mitigating evidence, as well as any evidence favorable to the accused.

Moore, 16, was last seen on the afternoon of Nov. 2 getting off of a school bus at the intersection of Bourland and Walnut Streets in Greenville, a short distance from her home.

Her body was found Nov. 6 along Farm-to-Market Road 47 in Van Zandt County and the Greenville Police Department has joined with multiple other agencies in conducting a homicide investigation in the case.