CORPUS CHRISTI — A local judge has sentenced retired Corpus Christi Police Officer Tommy Cabello to 10 years in prison.
District Court Judge Inna Klein gave Cabello the maximum sentence.
Yesterday, Cabello was found guilty of continuous violence against a family member, tampering with evidence and witness tampering.
Last week, Cabello's ex-wife Tina testified that the verbal and physical abuse began in 2002. She recalled at least one incident where Cabello pointed an unloaded gun to her head.
During today's testimony, Tina Cabello asked the judge to send Cabello to prison because she wouldn't feel safe if he was placed on probation.
His 15-year old autistic son also testified that he too feared for his safety. Later, the young man told the judge he wrote a song describing how he felt about his life with his father and the abuse he witnessed in his home. He presented the lyrics to the prosecutor Rey Pena. Klein allowed Pena to read those lyrics in court.
After he left the stand, Judge Klein began preparing to sentence Cabello but before she announced the sentence, she made sure that Cabello understood the gravity of his crime.
"This is a dark day when someone who is sworn to protect the law is found guilty of continuously abusing not just somebody but the woman he promised to love and take care of for the rest of his life. The mother of his 3 kids," Klein said.
She added that Cabello used his 20 years of police experience to manipulate his wife.
"The fact that you may have done this in police uniform and with the badge just adds to the gravity," Klein said. "The same type of uniform that other officers wear with pride and some die for upholding their oath.
"Domestic violence often involves grooming, manipulation and alienation. The evidence in this case has unfolded to show that you have mastered and repeatedly exercised all of these behaviors. I cannot imagine what your ex-wife and son have gone through and will continue to go through in their road to recovery, but I do want you to know that they didn't bring you here. You did and I don't ever want your son to ever think that it's his guilt that you're wearing the shackles and the handcuffs."
After addressing Cabello, Klein said after hearing all of the evidence, she believed Cabello was not only a danger to his family but to the community. She sentenced him to 10 years in a Texas Department of Corrections facility and told him he would have the right to appeal.
Tommy Cabello showed no emotion when the sentence was handed down. Meanwhile, his ex-wife began sobbing.
Cabello must serve at least a year and a half of his sentence before being considered for parole.
An excerpt of Cabello's son's lyrics that were introduced during Tuesday's sentencing phase:
Watching, I sit and fear you.
Learning I can't predict you.
Helpless, I cannot fight you.
Watching I cannot save you.
Years of captivity can do a lot to your sanity but no iron bars were near.
With just your vain fists inside, we were locked.
We wished for escape but we were in a tough landscape.
We could call help and perish or we could stay here and perish.
Father, you were our abuser. We were your prisoners and you put us through torture.
Father, you were more like a bother. I want you to ponder how much you have hurt us.
Father, you were never a father. So, I want you to ponder could you have been kinder?
Looking back, I could not trust you. Anyone is trusted except you.
If only you knew our pain, maybe then you'd show restraint.
Watching, I'd sit and fear you.
Learning I can't predict you.
Helpless, I cannot fight you.
Watching I cannot save you from yourself.
I just can't believe such an innocent boy like me could be raised by a demon.
Yet, the only near saint I know is me. Here I am studying the Bible while you act like an animal.
I just have to reveal this all my love for you is gone.
Father, you were our abuser. We were your prisoners and you put us through torture.
Father, you were more like a bother. I want you to ponder how much you have hurt us.
Father, you were never a father. So, I want you to ponder could you have been kinder?
Looking back, I could not trust you.
Anyone is trusted except you.
If only you knew our pain, maybe then you'd show restraint.
