http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/former-karate-teacher-guilty
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Former karate teacher guilty
Jury: Backstrom sentenced to life in prison
Updated: Monday, 26 Jul 2010, 3:36 PM CDT Published : Saturday, 24 Jul 2010, 6:46 PM CDT
Daniel Bramlette
BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - Former karate teacher Michael Backstrom was given two separate sentences on Sunday after a jury found him guilty on Saturday: one of 99 years in prison and the other, life in prison.
Burnet County District Attorney Sam Oatman told KXAN News the jury convicted Backstrom of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl who was his former karate student. For this, he received a life sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14.
Backstrom was also convicted of burglary for breaking into the girl's home a few days before the assault, a crime described as burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony. He was given 99 years in prison for this crime.
Marble Falls Police arrested the 47-year old Backstrom in February of 2008.
He was teaching at "ATA" Black Belt Academy at the time.
Backstrom's attorney told KXAN reporters then that Backstrom "was only trying to help the student -- she was a runaway and he gave her a place to stay for the night."
(link not active, page not found on original server: archive of article shown here below)
Former karate teacher guilty
Jury: Backstrom sentenced to life in prison
Updated: Monday, 26 Jul 2010, 3:36 PM CDT Published : Saturday, 24 Jul 2010, 6:46 PM CDT
Daniel Bramlette
BURNET, Texas (KXAN) - Former karate teacher Michael Backstrom was given two separate sentences on Sunday after a jury found him guilty on Saturday: one of 99 years in prison and the other, life in prison.
Burnet County District Attorney Sam Oatman told KXAN News the jury convicted Backstrom of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl who was his former karate student. For this, he received a life sentence for aggravated sexual assault of a child younger than 14.
Backstrom was also convicted of burglary for breaking into the girl's home a few days before the assault, a crime described as burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony. He was given 99 years in prison for this crime.
Marble Falls Police arrested the 47-year old Backstrom in February of 2008.
He was teaching at "ATA" Black Belt Academy at the time.
Backstrom's attorney told KXAN reporters then that Backstrom "was only trying to help the student -- she was a runaway and he gave her a place to stay for the night."
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/crime/KarateTeacherAccusedOfAssault
Karate teacher accused of assault
Sexual assault and burglary are amoung the counts
Updated: Tuesday, 20 Jul 2010, 4:07 PM CDT Published : Friday, 10 Oct 2008, 10:49 PM CDT
Erin Cargile
Blair Shiff
MARBLE FALLS (KXAN) - A former Marble Falls karate instructor has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his 12-year-old female students. Marble Falls Police said Michael Backstrom, 47, taught at the American Taekwondo Association Black Belt Academy in the 1100 block of U.S. Highway 281.
"We don't have any information that there have been any other victims," said Capt. Floyd Goodwin, with the Marble Falls Police Department.
Police arrested Backstrom at his home after the alleged victim said he sexually assaulted her Feb. 25. Backstrom was also charged with burglary for going inside her home with bad intentions Feb. 20.
"It's frustrating, all of this is based on accusations." said Michael Backstrom.
The former karate instructor denied the charges during a brief phone conversation. Backstrom's attorney said his client was only trying to help out his student.
"He knew she was having some problems in her home," said defense attorney Eddie Shell. "She had runaway, so he had assisted her for the night, as far as having a place to stay."
Shell said his client plans on pleading not guilty Oct 17. Backstrom has been released from the Burnet County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
Karate teacher accused of assault
Sexual assault and burglary are amoung the counts
Updated: Tuesday, 20 Jul 2010, 4:07 PM CDT Published : Friday, 10 Oct 2008, 10:49 PM CDT
Erin Cargile
Blair Shiff
MARBLE FALLS (KXAN) - A former Marble Falls karate instructor has been charged with sexually assaulting one of his 12-year-old female students. Marble Falls Police said Michael Backstrom, 47, taught at the American Taekwondo Association Black Belt Academy in the 1100 block of U.S. Highway 281.
"We don't have any information that there have been any other victims," said Capt. Floyd Goodwin, with the Marble Falls Police Department.
Police arrested Backstrom at his home after the alleged victim said he sexually assaulted her Feb. 25. Backstrom was also charged with burglary for going inside her home with bad intentions Feb. 20.
"It's frustrating, all of this is based on accusations." said Michael Backstrom.
The former karate instructor denied the charges during a brief phone conversation. Backstrom's attorney said his client was only trying to help out his student.
"He knew she was having some problems in her home," said defense attorney Eddie Shell. "She had runaway, so he had assisted her for the night, as far as having a place to stay."
Shell said his client plans on pleading not guilty Oct 17. Backstrom has been released from the Burnet County Jail on a $100,000 bond.