BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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ELLIS COUNTY – Last month, an Ellis County jury found James Gregory Long, 63, of Waxahachie guilty of assault causing bodily injury following a two-day trial on April 14-15, 2026.
Long was found guilty after evidence was presented at the trial, which showed him aggressively confronting the victim in the parking lot of a Dollar General in Waxahachie regarding her driving.
A release from the Ellis County District Attorney’s office reported, “Despite the victim’s repeated attempts to stop and separate herself from the confrontation, Long blocked her path inside the store and spat in her face.
“The victim struck Long, and Long responded by repeatedly striking the victim, causing pain and injury.”
The defense argued it was self-defense, but the jury rejected that claim and returned a guilty verdict.
Long will serve 24 months’ probation, and 30 days jail time as a condition of the probation, as well as completing the “Thinking for a Change” program.
The program is a multi-session cognitive behavioral intervention designed to address impulsivity, aggression, and antisocial behavior.
Joshua Atilano, the prosecutor on the case said, “Self-defense is a sacred right in Texas, and the jury’s swift verdict made one thing clear: provoking a confrontation does not justify assaulting another person.”
