AUSTIN, Texas — A Kyle man has been sentenced to eight years’ probation over a November 2020 family violence assault charge involving the strangulation of his girlfriend.
According to Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins, 34-year-old Robert Rene Rangel Jr. was convicted by a jury in November for a charge of strangulation repeat offender and assault family violence repeat offender.
During the incident, Rangel placed his girlfriend in a chokehold that prevented her from breathing, Higgins said. The assault happened in the presence of a young child. Rangel had previously been sentenced to prison after failing deferred probation for another strangulation case in 2014.
The state urged the court to sentence Rangel to 20 years in prison. Rangel elected to have the judge assess punishment following the jury trial and filed an application for probation.
During the punishment phase, the state presented evidence to show that Rangel had three prior convictions for assault family violence, including one involving strangulation, in addition to prior convictions for terroristic threat and violation of a protective Order, according to Higgins. The Probation Department recommended he be sentenced to prison due to the nature of the crime, his prior non-compliance with probation and Rangel’s assaultive history.
On Thursday, Judge Tracie Wright-Reneau of the 207th District Court placed Rangel on probation for eight years.
“We appreciate the jury held the defendant accountable for his violent actions. The District Attorney’s Office remains committed to protecting victims of domestic violence. We will continue to vigorously prosecute these cases and do everything in our power to protect victims of domestic violence in our community,” Assistant Criminal District Attorney Shelby Griffin said.