State’s first sex predator trial under new law held in Fort Worth

By Mitch Mitchell March 3, 2016 8:41 PM

FORT WORTH

A violent sexual offender convicted of a list of crimes in Tarrant County dating back to 1991 will be sent to the state’s new facility for repeat sex offenders under the civil commitment program, a Tarrant County judge decided Wednesday.

Short was due to be discharged from prison in the fall after serving 25 years for his most recent convictions, the release said.

Instead, prosecutors sought to have Short civilly committed. So after he is released from prison, he will be sent to the state’s secure Littlefield facility, where the state sends all felons admitted to its civil commitment program.

The prosecution called three witnesses, including a forensic psychologist, a psychiatrist and Short.

Salvant ordered that Short be committed after a jury found that he has a behavioral abnormality that makes him likely to engage in predatory acts of sexual violence, the news release said.

“Von Short is a sexually deviant and dangerous individual,” Vassar said. “During his 25 year imprisonment he never had sex offender treatment from a licensed professional. The jury’s verdict ensures that he will get the treatment he needs, and guarantees the citizens of Texas that he will be monitored 24 hours a day.”