Bay City Tribune — November 20, 2019
Byrd found not guilty in sexual assault of child charges
Christopher Ryan Byrd was found not guilty after the Matagorda County jury deliberated about 36 minutes. The State’s case turned on allegations spanning 2006–2012. The defense presented that the accuser’s account did not add up — including timing after Byrd had moved back to Bay City, and the absence of similar claims involving his other children.
Co-counsel Robert Rice and Shawn Roberts tried the case. After the verdict Roberts told the paper he asked the jury to take 15 minutes to return it, “as quick as they came back it showed me that they believed he was falsely accused of this crime.” He added: “Hopefully, this verdict will go a long way in restoring his reputation in this community.”
Rice told the Tribune the State had not met its burden: “At no time was Chris Byrd near him in 2008 when this case was to have taken place — it just doesn’t add up or fit at all.” Byrd had been facing 25 to life. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
