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Updated Saturday, February 06, 2010 7:13 PM
Sherman man sentenced to 30 years for child sexual abuse
A Grayson County jury sentenced Randy Ray Kranning, 33, of Sherman to 30 years in prison for last week for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
The conviction followed a two-day trial over which Judge Rim Nall presided.
"These cases are always difficult," said Grayson County District Attorney Joe Brown in a press release. "When there is no physical evidence of the assault, and no eye witnesses, the case often comes down to the credibility of the child. This young lady was very believable, and the defendant had a long history of bad behavior."
Brown said the case started in 2006 when a 13-year-old girl told her aunt that Kranning had touched her inappropriately on several occasions three years earlier when she was 10 years old.
The girl's aunt reported the matter to the proper authorities and the case made its way to the Pottsboro Police Department since the crime happened in Pottsboro.
The girl gave a detailed videotaped statement at the Grayson County Children's Advocacy Center. When confronted with the allegations by authorities, Kranning denied that he had touched the girl inappropriately.
Grayson County prosecutor Bill Bryant called the young girl, her aunt, and the girl's counselor to testify in the case. Bobbie Wieck, a forensic interviewer with the Grayson County Children's Advocacy Center, testified about her interview with the child and some of reasons why children delay in reporting the abuse they suffer.
Kranning, represented by attorney F.B. Larrea, took the stand and again denied the assault. The jury deliberated approximately three hours before returning a guilty verdict.
During the trial, the jury learned that Kranning had a long history of drug abuse, had previously served time in prison for burglary and theft, had been convicted of unlawfully carrying a weapon, and was currently charged with possession of cocaine.
Jurors deliberated approximately two hours before returning a 30-year prison sentence.
 Comments ... 7 found!
innocent or guilty : 2/10/2010
I am not taking sides with anyone. But if there was no absolute proof he touched her just her word how could he be guilty beyond reasonable doubt. For her to wait 3 years before telling anyone makes me wonder. However he was found guilty and by law he must serve his time. I hope that little girl was telling the truth. Baby sitters beware- Teachers or anyone who is around and close to children alone for you may wake up one day with some child saying you touched them wrong and find yourself in same predicament. Prison. And for the record I hate child molestors and they deserve to be locked away forever. Just show the proof first.
citizen
Say What? : 2/10/2010
When it becomes your child you will be her??? Can someone please translate this into English for me?
English Speaking American
Believe it : 2/8/2010
When it becomes your child you will be her
Sahasha Bennett
Tulia, TX : 2/8/2010
Most of the defendants (40 of 46) in the Tulia, TX case were black and the remaining 6 were living amongst them and/or had close relationships to them so it was a race thing. This guy is white so it is doubtful he will generate the same kind of interest. Regardless, I agree with everything you said, it is scary to think that some very young kid can say "he touched me wrong 3 years ago" and you are gone for 30 years! Regardless, even though his past should not legally matter in this particular case, I think his very poor track record of bad decisions caught up to him. That's why you should always "keep your nose clean" so to speak!
Shermanite
How Sure : 2/7/2010
LDW, I agree 100% with everything you said.
LongTallTexan
How sure are we? : 2/7/2010
"This young lady was very believable, and the defendant had a long history of bad behavior."
If this quotation is the extent of the evidence, I find it hard to understand a finding of guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt". It would seem it comes down to the word of one person vs. another, and no matter how believable the child is - if that is the only evidence and it is not corroborated in some fashion, it doesn't seem to meet the criteria of "proof beyond a reasonable doubt". "Probably guilty" is a long way from "proof beyond a reasonable doubt".
Further, the fact that there is a past record of bad legal behavior is not in itself a factor in determining guilt for this particular offense - especially since the bad past behavior mentioned did not even include any relative sexual misbehavior. An appeal court might decide that it was very prejudicial to the defendant to allow the facts of such past unrelated legal misbehavior to be presented to the jury.
Mr. Brown and Judge Nall should probably hope that the Innocence Project does not acquire an interest in this case. What if Sherman became nationally infamous and acquired the same reputation as did Tulia, Tx a few years ago? Governor Perry finally had to intervene and essentially appologize to the defendants (and the nation) in that case. It is my understanding that the civil law suit against Tulia has been settled, and residents pay the bill through increased local taxes.
But if there is a satisfactory way to become convinced of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, 30 years may not be long enough of a sentence. Our children are the most precious assets we have in human society, and keeping known predators permanently locked away from them should be justifiable. It is not a matter of ensuring sufficient punishment of a perpetrator in order to assure society has established adequate criminal deterrence, or even adequate retribution. Instead, it is a matter of ensuring the protection and safety of our children from the most grievous of harms.
LDW
30 years is not long enough : 2/6/2010
30 years is not long enough, however i am proud that the jury came to the decsion they did. We must stop all those that hurt our children. There is no excuse for the monstors. Our children is what will run our country, states, cities one day.
lab
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