Texas woman keeps marital home after husband's 50-year sentence for family violence

The marriage that ended in criminal convictions and a long prison term eventually resulted in a bitter fight over the family home. In Texas, a woman who filed for divorce following years of marital cruelty was awarded the couple’s home as part of an uneven division of their marital estate. Her husband, serving a 50-year sentence for kidnapping and ongoing domestic violence, appealed the decision. But now, the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals has upheld the divorce judgment, so the property division will stand.A marriage marked by violenceAccording to the Texas Fifth Court of Appeals, Francis Lea Romero filed for divorce from Oscar Romero Jr. In the filing, Francis Lea Romero cited cruelty and said the marriage “had become unsustainable.”She produced evidence of his violent behavior and the criminal cases that followed during divorce proceedings. Oscar was convicted of kidnapping and continuous family violence, according to court records. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison. He also had an obstruction or retaliation charge pending.The divorce hearing included a protective order issued against Oscar, as well as documents showing who owned the marital home.Francis argued she was entitled to a greater share of the couple's community property, including the family home, contending that her husband’s cruel treatment warranted a larger allocation of the marital estate.Husband fails to show up for…