FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF News) -UPDATE: Taking less than 15 minutes to decide, a Tarrant County Jury has found 51-year-old Michael Webb guilty of kidnapping an 8-year-old girl in Fort Worth in May.
The mother took the stand on Tuesday- sharing what happened that day. She said she was going on a walk with her little girl when a car drove past and hollered at them. “I was just telling my daughter not to talk to strangers before it all happened” said Rachel Sweet. Sweet recalled Webb driving by again to where they were at a different location in the neighborhood. She said she looked up and saw him standing there outside of his car approaching them and asking if they liked money. She said he grabbed her little girl from behind her and it became blurry but remembers grabbing onto him and doing whatever she could to keep him from snatching her daughter. “I got into the car and was sitting on his lap trying to get him to stop the car,” she said. Webb then pushed her out.
Jurors heard the 911 call from the mother in a panic. “Someone just took my daughter from me,” she yelled to the operator while noticeably out of breath.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox spoke about how brave that mother was for sharing her story and said it was important for jurors to hear. “This is every parents worst nightmare to have thier child ripped from their arms,”Cox said. “I know today is very important to them to have this kind of verdict,” she said.
Cox said the family is now getting the justice they deserve.
Cox thanked all the responding officers, law enforcement agencies and neighbors who had a role in finding the little girl and making sure she returned home safely.
The Judge will now decide Webb’s sentencing. A date has not been set yet but Webb could face anywhere from 20 years to life in prison.
ORIGINAL: The Federal trial for the man accused of kidnapping an eight-year-old girl while she walked with her mom in the Ryan Place neighborhood of Fort Worth in May began Tuesday morning.
Michael Webb is facing numerous charges, including aggravated kidnapping and six charges of aggravated sexual assault.
He initially pleaded guilty but changed his mind and entered a not guilty plea.
After an extensive search, Fort Worth Police found the girl in Webbs’ room at the WoodSprings Suites motel in nearby Forest Hill hours after she was abducted.
Forest Hill Police went to the same room earlier based on a tip and, after questioning Webb, did not find the girl.
Judge Reed Oconnor selected a jury of 5 men and 7 women with one man as an alternate. He tells jurors to be especially vigilant and careful with this case. The trial began with Webb requesting new attorneys because of thier “differences” and to not be present for the trial. Judge did not agree to change attorneys but Webb opted to waive his rights to be in the courtroom and will be kept in a holding cell during the trial instead. If convicted, Webb faces up to life in prison.
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