Opinion ID: 871215
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Cousin's Testimony

Text: At trial, Cousin testified that he was thirteen years old at the time of the incident and fourteen years old at the time of trial. Cousin related that he and Complainant were watching video programs when Respondent came in and told Complainant to feed the dog. After Complainant did so, Respondent came back into the room and start[ed] complaining about [a] dog stain on the ground. Cousin stated that when Respondent told Complainant to clean it, Complainant said, [Y]ou can since [Respondent] want[ed] to make a bet with [Complainant.] Respondent told Complainant that if he was able to remove the stain, Complainant would get a year's grounding from T.V. and Complainant would get nothing if he [won]. But then, Complainant said, I get to kick you in the leg[,] and Respondent said all right. After Respondent left the room, Complainant slam[med] the door on [Respondent]. Respondent then opened the door, limp[ed] in kind of quickly and lunge[d] at [Complainant.] Complainant was tackled into the [] sliding door and the jalousies fell. As Complainant was trying to get off the sliding door, Respondent hit[] him about four or five times in the face. Complainant put[] his hands over his head ... defensively[,] and Respondent hit Complainant in the head [m]aybe fifteen times. Cousin related that Complainant then stood up, grabbed a crutch from the floor, and held it in a defensive manner. Respondent then told Complainant that he should use the crutch against him and [] fight[,] but Complainant didn't do anything; just kind on like backing off. After the incident, Cousin noticed that Complainant's face was swelled, and teeth were chipped, and Complainant also had a bleeding nose.