A 28-year-old man, Elijah Alaniz, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on November 5, 2024, after being found guilty of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member.
According to the Dallas Police Department, Alaniz came home after a night out with a friend and threatened to kill his girlfriend, the victim. Fearing for her safety, the victim attempted to leave their shared apartment. However, Alaniz attacked her as she tried to leave, dragging her back into the apartment by her hair. The brutal assault lasted for over an hour, during which the victim fought for her life.
Once the defendant grew tired, he fell asleep. The victim, who was left with severe injuries—including a brain bleed, broken nose, broken jaw, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung—managed to text her mother. Her mother then called the police.
During the trial, the jury was presented with evidence of previous assaults committed by Alaniz, including a 2022 attack on another woman and a 2017 assault on yet another victim.
The case was prosecuted by Megan Reed and Caitlin Paver, with investigation assistance from DA Investigator LaUnice Jackson and victim advocacy from Patricia Salas and Audri Graham.
