This jury took nearly three days to decide Douglas Katzenberger was guilty. But it took less than an hour to sentence him to 60 years in prison. It's considered a huge victory for his six victims
Katzenberger showed no change in emotion as the judge read the verdict -- 60 years in prison for the repeated sexual abuse of six young boys. Outside court, his victims' families wept.
"Nobody else has to be hurt," one relative said.
Prosecutors say the attacks happened over a period of 20 years, most occurring at his northwest Houston home which they describe as a predator's paradise, with a pool table and video games.
Prosecutor Angela Smith said, "His home was an attractive place for these kids to go over all the time and they would eventually sleep over there and then he had full access to these boys.
Shane Massey was the first victim to come forward. He says he was just five years old when the molestation started.
"I'm so glad it's over and he can't hurt anyone else," Massey said.
Massey wanted us to show his face and use his name. It's part of the process, he says, of trying to move past this. He says he's always felt guilty about not coming forward sooner, potentially keeping other kids from being hurt.
"I was scared as a child and I didn't go to the police or the authorities or anything," Massey explained. "He was allowed to continue his activities."
Massey says Katzenberger was his foster father. Prosecutors say he also targeted children of his friends and relatives, grooming them for years, gaining their trust. Massey cannot forgive him for what was stolen.
"This is not going to go away," he said. "Trust me. I've spent 20 years trying to forget it. You forget a lot, but it never goes away."
Katzenberger can be eligible for parole in 30 years. He'll be 76 at that time.
Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
