ELLIS COUNTY, Texas — A jury has returned a not guilty verdict in a felony driving while intoxicated case involving a child passenger, according to District Attorney Lindy Beaty.
The verdict was delivered on March 24, 2026, following a trial stemming from an incident in which an officer observed the defendant swerving across traffic lines and failing to stop at a designated point at an intersection.
According to testimony, the defendant admitted to spending the afternoon at a golf course and consuming at least five alcoholic drinks before picking up his 1-year-old child. The responding officer noted signs of possible intoxication, including bloodshot eyes and a strong odor of alcohol.
During the trial, the central issue was whether the defendant was legally intoxicated at the time of driving. Under Texas law, intoxication can be established either by demonstrating a loss of normal use of mental or physical faculties or by a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher.
A blood test administered approximately two hours after the traffic stop showed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.06, below the legal limit. While prosecutors argued the defendant exhibited signs of impairment, the jury determined the evidence did not meet the legal standard required for conviction.
Because the defendant was acquitted, officials said the individual is now eligible for expunction. Authorities did not release the defendant’s name or identifying information.
The District Attorney’s Office said it is committed to reporting both convictions and acquittals and thanked the jury, the Waxahachie Police Department, and prosecutors involved in the case.
