Texas parolee who nearly blinded girlfriend in brutal assault sentenced to 25 years in prison

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - A parolee who almost cost his girlfriend her sight in one eye through a violent pummeling was sentenced to 25 years in prison Monday.

Corey Jarrell Davis, 35, was set to stand trial in Waco’s 19^th State District Court Monday on enhanced aggravated assault charges when he accepted a plea offer from the McLennan County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors Chris Spendlove and Rebeckah Lawson alleged Davis’ fists were used as deadly weapons in the April 2024 assault, meaning Davis must serve at least half of his 25-year term before he can seek parole. He will be given credit for the 602 days he has spent in the McLennan County Jail waiting for his case to be resolved.

Davis was on parole for a 2012 arson of a habitation conviction for which he was sentenced to 25 years in prison when he attacked his girlfriend at an apartment in the 800 block of Wilson Road in Bellmead.

Davis faced a minimum of 15 years in prison up to life on the enhanced assault charge.

According to police reports, the woman reported Davis knocked her out by punching her in the right eye. She told police when she regained consciousness, Davis was still beating her.

A man who witnessed the attack intervened and got into a fight with Davis, according to an arrest affidavit. Davis fled the area, and the Good Samaritan helped the woman call her mother, who took her to the hospital.

The woman underwent three surgeries on her right eye, and doctors initially were concerned that she might not regain her sight, officials said.

The woman, who signed a non-prosecution affidavit, recovered but still suffers minor vision problems because of the assault, prosecutors said Monday. She waited outside the courtroom on a bench during Davis’ guilty plea Monday.

“Corey Davis was on parole for arson when he brutally beat his girlfriend, seriously injuring her,” Spendlove and Lawson said in a joint statement. “Even though the victim requested that Mr. Davis not be prosecuted for assaulting her, McLennan County District Attorney policy is to prosecute domestic violence any time evidence proves the crime, even without victim cooperation.

“This policy exists because domestic abusers often believe that their control and manipulation over their victims can shield them from accountability. Our office feels strongly that abusers should have no control over whether they face justice,” they said.

Davis’ attorney, Jason P. Darling, said he and Davis are glad to get the case resolved.

“We were prepared for trial and to argue a self-defense argument, but decided today not to risk going to trial and facing life in prison with a jury,” Darling said. “The victim had tried to drop charges and requested a lower number than what we received. Corey is ready to get this behind him and get back to his family.”

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