DALLAS Opening statements were heard on Tuesday in the trial of a man accused of having sex without disclosing a potentially deadly secret.
Nathaniel Tumbwecalls himself a doctor and a reverend, but he’s on trial at Crowley Courthouse accused of having unprotected sex with a woman without telling her he had HIV
Prosecutors told the jury that they will prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Tumbwe appeared to be visibly shaken during much of the morning’s opening statements.
Prosecutors say he knowingly had sex with a 58-year-old woman against her will,without a condom, and failing to reveal that he had an advanced case of HIV,
The two apparently met two years ago at The Potter’s House church in Dallas, where both were serving as elders.
Prosecutors say Tumbwe has been receiving treatment in Dallas for HIV since 2001 and now because of the alleged assault on his victim she must undergo medical testing for the next 10 years.
She was stoic, shocked, in disbelief, when she was told the man who forced himself on her also had the AIDS virus, said prosecutor Josh Healy.
Defense attorneys said the woman willingly got involved in a relationship with Tumbwe, but regretted it later due to her deeply religious beliefs. They also told jurors this case is full of evidence and powerful emotion, but little proof.
It is a story, a story of loathing, self-regret for what she believes was a moment of weakness, a moment of weakness that many of us have succumbed to in the need for personal affection, said defense attorney Michael Levine.
If convicted, Tumbwe will face up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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