James Lawrence Stringer is a Texas inmate serving a life sentence for a 1990 Houston aggravated sexual assault he committed just 66 days after being paroled for two nearly identical attacks at the same apartment complex. He remains in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under number 00611347, was denied parole again in April 2023, and is not scheduled for another review until 2028.1Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Inmate Search – Stringer, James Lawrence
The 1990 Houston Assault
On May 25, 1990, around 4:00 p.m., a woman identified in court records as S___ A___ was attacked in her Houston apartment. The assailant knocked shortly after she arrived home, posing as a maintenance worker and wearing what appeared to be a uniform for the complex’s maintenance staff. Once inside, he overcame her, removed her clothing, and forced her to perform oral sex before committing vaginal intercourse.2Leagle. Stringer v. State, 845 S.W.2d 4003CaseMine. Stringer v. State
Stringer was charged with aggravated sexual assault in Harris County. He pleaded not guilty. The jury convicted him and found true an enhancement allegation tied to his prior record, and the court sentenced him to life in prison.2Leagle. Stringer v. State, 845 S.W.2d 400
Two Nearly Identical Attacks in 1984
The 1990 assault was not his first. Stringer had two prior convictions for aggravated sexual assault out of Houston, for attacks on October 11, 1984, and November 29, 1984. Both occurred at the same apartment complex as the 1990 offense and followed the same method: the attacker approached shortly after the victim came home, posed as a uniformed maintenance worker, forced entry, physically overcame her, and forced oral sex followed by vaginal intercourse.4vLex. Stringer v. State, No. 01-91-00438-CR
He was incarcerated for those crimes from December 30, 1984, until March 20, 1990, when he was paroled. Sixty-six days later, he committed the May 25, 1990, assault at the same complex.4vLex. Stringer v. State, No. 01-91-00438-CR
The “Signature” Ruling on Appeal
Stringer appealed to the Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (Houston), raising ten points of error. None challenged the sufficiency of the evidence. The central fight was over whether the 1984 assaults could be put before the jury.
Stringer argued the earlier crimes were too remote, having occurred about five and a half years before the 1990 attack. The court rejected that, noting he had spent more than five of those years in prison, so almost none of the gap was time on the street. The court also found the 1984 offenses “highly probative” on identity because the method was so consistent it bore what the court called the “signature” of Stringer’s handiwork.4vLex. Stringer v. State, No. 01-91-00438-CR
On December 17, 1992, the appellate court affirmed the conviction and life sentence, overruling every point of error.2Leagle. Stringer v. State, 845 S.W.2d 400 The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals refused discretionary review on April 14, 1993.4vLex. Stringer v. State, No. 01-91-00438-CR
Where Stringer Is Now
Stringer has been in TDCJ custody since his conviction, held under inmate number 00611347. Because aggravated sexual assault is classified as a violent offense in Texas, his parole reviews can be spaced as far as five or ten years apart rather than annually, and a favorable decision requires a two-thirds vote of the seven-member Board of Pardons and Paroles.5Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Parole Information for Texas
His most recent review ended in denial on April 5, 2023. The Board cited three grounds:1Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Inmate Search – Stringer, James Lawrence
- Nature of the offense (Code 2D): the Board found the offense involved brutality, violence, and assaultive behavior, or a conscious selection of the victim’s vulnerability, indicating a continuing threat to public safety.
- Criminal history (Code 1D): his record shows repeated criminal episodes indicating a predisposition to commit crimes upon release.6Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Parole Denial Reasons
- Adjustment during prior supervision (Code 5D): his record reflects unsuccessful periods of supervision that resulted in further incarceration, consistent with the fact that he committed the 1990 assault while on parole for the 1984 convictions.
Stringer’s next scheduled parole review is set for April 2028.1Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Inmate Search – Stringer, James Lawrence He has now been incarcerated for more than three decades.