Fort Worth man gets life-plus for sexually assaulting teen relative

A 45-year-old defendant who represented himself during his trial last week was sentenced to nine life sentences for sexually assaulting a young female relative.

The Tarrant County jury that convicted Broderick Daymon Cofer of Fort Worth of all counts of an indictment assessed the life sentences on Friday.

Seven of the sentences are to run concurrently, but visiting state District Judge Roger Towery ordered that two of the sentences be served consecutively, prosecutor Art Clayton said.

“He will die in prison,” Clayton said Monday.

The assaults started when the relative was 15 and continued for more than three years, Clayton said. The woman, now 20, is not being named because the Star-Telegram generally does not identify accusers in sexual assault cases.

She is pursuing a college degree while working, Clayton said.

“She has gone on with her life and is doing a lot of things very well,” Clayton said.

Cofer called the woman to the stand three times.

“One of his first questions was ‘Did you like it?’ ” Clayton said.

Once, Cofer had the woman demonstrate using a coffee cup how he touched her, Clayton said.

The girl remained respectful, kept her poise and temper in check, Clayton said.

The woman has had counseling and kept a journal during her teen years, excerpts of which were read into the record during the trial, Clayton said.

“It was sad to hear what that child went through during her teen years,” Clayton said. “You could hear the feelings of sadness and loneliness in her own words.”

Cofer began sexually touching the girl in April 2011, according to the indictment.

The girl’s mother testified that she suspected something was happening, but when she questioned Cofer or her daughter, they both said everything was fine, Clayton said.

Cofer persuaded the girl not to tell relatives because it would be too painful for them, said attorney Pamela Fernandez, who was appointed to represent the mother after Cofer accused her, wrongly, of theft and burglary.

The Star-Telegram is not identifying the mother to avoid identifying her daughter.

In September 2014, the mother walked into a room while Cofer was having sex with her daughter, Fernandez said. The mother testified that Cofer held her in a bear hug for about 10 minutes while she tried to attack him, Fernandez said.

“When he let her go, she did attack him, although it’s uncertain whether she did any damage,” Fernandez said. “Mama bear came out. She said she was hurt and angry.”

Cofer presented himself to the jury as a good father who attended church regularly and as a businessman, Clayton said. Cofer said that at different times in his professional life he had operated a gyro stand, a landscaping business and a teen club in Arlington that has since closed, Clayton said.

According to court records, Cofer’s criminal record in Tarrant County includes a conviction for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a firearm, in November 1993, and possession with intent to deliver cocaine in November 1990.

Although Cofer insisted on representing himself, Fort Worth attorney Steve Bush was appointed to be present to advise him.

“Steve Bush is an excellent attorney and the defendant should have utilized him,” Fernandez said.

Bush did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Kacey Fickes assisted Clayton with the prosecution.

This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 7:19 PM with the headline "Fort Worth man gets life-plus for sexually assaulting teen relative."