Eric McGowen (Jail photo)
LIBERTY (September 13, 2012)—Eric McGowen, 20, who was a fugitive for nearly two weeks after he fled his trial a day before he was convicted in the repeated group sexual assault of an 11-year-old Southeast Texas girl, was formally sentenced Thursday.
McGowen returned to a Liberty courtroom Thursday morning and was told by a judge that a jury sentenced him to 99 years in prison.
McGowen was silent during the brief court hearing.
He was not in court on Aug. 30 when a jury returned the sentence.
McGowen, who was free on bond during the trial, disappeared during a break in testimony on Aug. 29.
He was convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced in absentia.
McGowen was arrested Tuesday in a Houston apartment.
