WAXAHACHIE, Texas - An Ellis County jury has sentenced a Lancaster man to 72 years in prison after finding him guilty of assault involving family violence against a former girlfriend.
On July 21, an Ellis County jury convicted Marquael Odoric Greer of Assault – Family Violence Having Been Previously Convicted of Assault – Family Violence. Because of multiple prior felony convictions, Greer faced an enhanced punishment range.
The case was tried before Judge Grace Pandithurai in the 443rd Judicial District Court.
According to prosecutors, the assault occurred in early October 2025 after the victim ended her relationship with Greer in the fall of that year. Investigators said Greer tracked the victim to her grandmother's apartment in a senior living community in Midlothian.
Authorities said Greer confronted the victim at the front door, grabbed her by the hair and threw her into the apartment, where she fell to the ground. Prosecutors said he then climbed on top of her, punched her and choked her before she managed to break free and run from the apartment.
A neighbor reported hearing the victim yelling "stop" and "don't do that" before seeing her run from the residence. Moments later, the witness saw Greer leave the scene and photographed both him and the license plate of his vehicle.
According to the Ellis County District Attorney's Office, Greer stole the victim's cell phone and car keys before fleeing.
The victim borrowed a phone to call 911. Midlothian police officers arrived within minutes and found her bleeding near the senior community office. Officers observed scratches around her neck and bruising and swelling around her left eye.
Police later located Greer and recovered the victim's phone and keys from his possession before arresting him.
During the punishment phase of the trial, jurors heard evidence that Greer had multiple prior domestic violence convictions involving the same victim and others. Prosecutors also presented evidence that he had previously served five prison sentences for crimes including burglary of a habitation, drug dealing, firearms offenses and additional family violence convictions.
Jurors also heard evidence that Greer had previously been convicted in Parker County after throwing a puppy from a moving vehicle on a freeway, killing the animal.
Dr. Kathryn Jacob, president and CEO of Archway, testified as an expert witness about intimate partner violence and the dynamics of power and control in abusive relationships.
Lead prosecutor Loren Colins said the sentence reflects the community's commitment to protecting victims from repeat violent offenders.
"The jury verdict sends a strong message that the citizens of Ellis County will keep our community safe from dangerous and violent offenders," Colins said. "His history showed that when he was released on one charge it did not take long for him to commit another. His violent past finally caught up to him."
Ellis County District Attorney Lindy Beaty thanked the neighbor who photographed Greer leaving the scene, the Midlothian Police Department, Dr. Jacob and the prosecution team for their work in securing the conviction.
