Sulphur Springs Man Sentenced To Life In Prison

Terence Ramon Beachem, 47, of Sulphur Springs was sentenced by 8th Judicial District Judge Eddie Northcutt Tuesday morning to life in prison.

Beachem was on 10 years deferred adjudication probation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when he was arrested Aug. 28, 2019, for allegedly invading his ex-girlfriend’s home, where he attempted to gag and take her from the residence.

As he was taking her from the home, she reportedly screamed, catching others’ attention. When he tried to cover her mouth, she allegedly bit the tip of his finger off then fled. Authorities chased him from near Interstate 30 to Helm Lane, where he allegedly crashed the vehicle he was in and forced his way into another residence before being apprehended.

Beachem was on deferred adjudication probation for allegedly ramming the vehicle of a person with whom he was in an argument, causing damage to the other vehicle and city property in the downtown area on Aug. 12, 2018.

Based on the recent allegations, a motion was filed to “proceed to adjudication” or revoke his probation on the prior aggravated assault charge, according to the district attorney’s office. A hearing was held Monday and Tuesday regarding that motion.

Because Beachem has an extensive criminal history which includes previous time served in the penitentiary, if his probation was violated on the adjudicated charge, he faced a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison.

After hearing all the evidence and considering the man’s extensive criminal record, which dated back to November of 1989, Northcutt sentenced Beachem to life in the penitentiary. 

“Sadly, Mr. Beachem has demonstrated over his entire adult life that he is unable to live peacefully in society.  There comes a point when we must ensure that no law-abiding citizen is ever threatened by him again,” Will Ramsay, 8th Judicial District Attorney, said following the verdict Tuesday morning.

The district attorney also expressed thanks to the “brave survivor in this case for testifying in front of the man who savagely attacked her” and appreciation to the judge.

“Judge Northcutt considered all the horrendous evidence in this case and the defendant’s 30-year resumé of crime to reach a just verdict of life in the penitentiary.  I appreciate his commitment to sending a statement and keeping the community safe,” Ramsay said.

Author: KSST Contributor

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