By: Stephanie Jacksis
***UPDATE***
Ackors was convicted of sexually abusing two young girls, and was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences Wednesday morning.
Judge Matt Johnson in the 54th district court didn't hesitate when he made the decision that Ackors was guilty.
District Attorney Abel Reyna said Ackors had a criminal history, even before the trial ended. It turns out Ackors was convicted of murder back in 1985 in Potter County, Texas, near Amarillo.
by Adam Shear
WACO - A McLennan Co. man is on trial for allegedly sexually assaulting two little girls, but instead of using a state appointed lawyer, he decided to represent himself.
Tuesday morning the trial of Jeffery Ackors started in the 54th district court of McLennan County. Police have accused him of molesting a ten and an eight year old girl multiple times in Waco and Hallsburg.
Acting as his own attorney, Ackors actually cross-examined both the eight and ten year old girls he is accused of molesting. When he asked the girls to talk about what he allegedly did both were brought to tears.
Many local lawyers say they have never seen anyone represent themselves in a sexual assault trial and Ackors's decision to do so is very strange. He is not completely alone though, because the state has appointed Ackors a legal advisor.
When Ackors questioned witnesses he frequently referred to himself in the third person as "the defendant."
During the trial Ackors called his own sister to the stand as a witness, but instead of testifying for him she said the accusations were true. His sister told the court when she lived with her brother she frequently saw Ackors taking one of the girls into his room frequently around bedtime. She also claimed she told him several times that it was wrong before he was arrested.
Monday's trial went to recess when Ackors asked Judge Matt Johnson to subpoena two witnesses out of the Dallas area. The trial will resume around 9:00 a.m. Tuesday. Ackors told the court before the recess that he may decide to call both alleged victims back to the stand.
