Survivor of Brutal Texas Park Attack Awarded $198 Million in Landmark Civil Case
A survivor of a horrific execution-style assault in Texas has secured a monumental $198 million civil judgment against her attacker, who also murdered her girlfriend during the same violent incident. Mary Kristene Chapa, who was 18 at the time, endured a traumatic ordeal alongside her late partner, Mollie Ogin, aged 19, when they were confronted by David Strickland at Violet Andrews Park in Portland, Texas, back in 2012.
A Night of Unimaginable Violence
The assailant, then 26 years old, subjected the two young women to a series of brutal acts. He stripped them, bound their hands, covered their eyes with duct tape, and sexually assaulted them within the public park before shooting both in the head. When authorities discovered the victims the following morning, they initially presumed both were deceased; however, Chapa miraculously clung to life despite her severe injuries.
Strickland was subsequently convicted and received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in 2016. Yet, this week marked another significant legal setback for him as the civil justice system delivered a powerful financial penalty.
Historic Verdict After Years of Legal Battle
Chapa finally prevailed in the civil lawsuit she initiated in 2017 against Strickland, his father Larry Strickland, and their family-owned Taft Pharmacy. She had originally sought $500 million in compensation to address her extensive medical expenses and profound psychological suffering resulting from the attack.
Following several days of emotional testimony at a San Patricio state courthouse, Chapa's attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced the jury's decision, which required just over two hours of deliberation. Buzbee hailed his client as a 'hero' and emphasized the historic nature of the ruling.
'This is one of the largest sexual assault verdicts in the history of the United States,' Buzbee stated. 'Kristene Chapa is a fighter. She is a survivor. She has attempted to put her life together as best she can, given what David Strickland did to her. She is someone that all should admire. I am proud to represent her in this historic case.'
Lasting Physical and Emotional Scars
Court documents reveal that Chapa continues to suffer permanent harm from the vicious assault. She experiences tunnel vision, walks with a noticeable limp, endures constant pain, and has undergone rigorous physical rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment. The documents further indicate that she will require lifelong care and substantial assistance with daily activities.
The civil lawsuit also implicated Strickland's father, alleging he was aware of his son's violent propensities yet failed to take preventive action. It is claimed that Larry Strickland provided his son with the .45 caliber Glock pistol used in the attack. Prosecutors argued that the family pharmacy business 'aided and abetted' the perpetrator, either deliberately or through negligence.
From Victim to Advocate
Chapa's harrowing experience captured national attention, leading to an appearance on a Dateline episode where she recounted the chilling final moments shared with Ogin. 'We weren't even there for five minutes and we end up seeing this guy walk by,' she recalled. 'I got this weird feeling and we wanted to hurry up and get out of there. And the next thing you know, he's right there on Mollie's side, with a gun. We both asked each other if we were okay, and that was the last thing we both asked each other.'
In the years since the attack, Chapa has transformed her trauma into advocacy, becoming a vocal supporter for sexual assault survivors and victims of gun violence. Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Strickland has maintained his innocence throughout the legal proceedings. His defense lawyer has filed multiple appeals against his criminal sentence, with the first denied in 2020 and a state appeals court rejecting another request in 2024. A federal judge declined to review his incarceration in September 2025, and an appeal on that decision filed in October remains pending.
