Tyler Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Burglary of a Habitation

Friday (Dec. 20) in the 7th Judicial District Court, Judge Kerry Russel sentenced defendant, William Foley (DOB: 06/24/1976), to Life in prison, after the defendant was found guilty by a Smith County Jury of the offense of Burglary of a Habitation. The jury convicted the defendant on November 20th, and the defendant remained in jail in order for a Pre-Sentence Investigation report to be completed.
Prosecutors Richard Vance and Emil Mikkelsen presented evidence at trial showed that the defendant, who was unknown to the victim, forced his way into the victim’s apartment and began assaulting the victim. Two eyewitnesses in the apartment complex heard the victim’s cry for help and pulled the defendant off of the victim. The victim and the witnesses were able to give a description of the defendant, and within minutes, the Tyler Police Department made contact with the defendant walking down the street near the apartments. The defendant matched the description and made several incriminating statements that lead to his arrest.
At the punishment phase, the Judge heard evidence of the defendant’s lengthy criminal history including multiple misdemeanor and felony convictions. Several of these convictions were violent in nature and involved the use of weapons.