Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Has Thrown Out Death Sentence For Inmate.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has thrown out the death sentence of a Bryan man over the fatal beating of his 68-year-old neighbor five years ago and says convicted killer Christian Olsen deserves a new punishment trial.
The state's highest criminal court says State District Court Judge Steve Smith was wrong when he agreed with prosecutors who objected to testimony at Olsen's 2009 trial from an expert on female sex offenders.
Olsen's attorneys contended their client had been influenced and was the victim of sexual abuse by his 35-year-old girlfriend. Olsen was 19 when he was arrested for the slaying of Etta Jean Westbrook during a robbery at her home.
Olsen also was charged but has not been tried for the slaying of his girlfriend's mother.
