Last week, we reported the story of Audrii Cunningham, the 11-year-old girl from Livingston, Texas, who left home to catch the school bus and was found dead in the Trinity River five days later. Her alleged killer, Don Steven McDougal, was a family friend who volunteered to take Audrii to the bus stop.
McDougal remains in jail where he is being held on capital murder charges. Now that he’s behind bars, his behavior likely won’t do him any favors when he faces a judge.
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McDougal refused to put on clothes for his appearance in front of the justice of the peace.
Body camera footage obtained by ABC 13 shows McDougal, who was arrested on an unrelated charge before authorities found Cunningham's body, completely naked in his cell. He was only covered by a blanket. McDougal refused to get dressed before appearing in court for his arraignment. Eventually, an officer was able to convince him to place a blanket around his waist. That’s how he appeared before the justice of the peace.
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McDougal's swastika tattoo is in full view.
When the deputy walked into McDougal’s cell to announce that the justice of the peace wanted to speak with him, he asked, “Where’s your clothes?” McDougal told him, “I ain’t got no clothes. Instead, McDougal’s swastika tattoo was in clear view. “Well, come on out here,” the deputy continues. “Well, no, no, man. Come on, man, don't disrespect me like that. Well, wrap up in that. Wrap up in the blanket. Come on. Come on.”
Public records don't show whether McDougal has retained a lawyer.
During his meeting, the justice of the peace asked McDougal if he wanted a court-appointed attorney or would hire his own. “Nope,” McDougal responded. When the justice asked him to clarify, he said, “I’ll get an attorney.” The justice informed him of his capital murder charge and that there was no bond. McDougal remains behind bars but it’s not clear whether he has retained an attorney or not.
One of McDougal's former victims says the system failed her and Audrii.
This is not the first time, one of McDougal’s interactions ended in criminal charges. Carissa Davis said that when she was 10 years old, McDougal crawled into bed with her and tried to take her pants off, ABC 13 reports. She says Audrii’s fate could have easily been her own. Thankfully, she was able to fight him off.
Davis’ family pressed charges. In 2008, McDougal pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison for enticing a child. He got credit for one and a half years served. He did not have to register as a sex offender as a part of his plea deal. Davis claims that the system got it wrong. “I think Brazoria County failed me and definitely failed Audrii,” she said.
