A Dallas-area woman who needed more than 500 stitches after a 2011 beating and slashing attack says her now-former boyfriend first became violent in 2009.
The woman returns to the stand Thursday in the Dallas aggravated sexual assault trial of 34-year-old Jose Arreola. He's also charged with family violence and retaliation.
Defense attorney Michael Todd says the woman was the aggressor and pulled knives on Arreola.
The woman testified Wednesday that she never saw Arreola angry or violent until he allegedly attacked her in 2009.
Prosecutors say Arreola was free on bail in that case when he allegedly raped and sexually mutilated the woman in March 2011. Doctors say the victim lost about 40 percent of her blood.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
