Arlington, TX  (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a  Tarrant
County courtroom drama on Friday when he challenged a court ruling over who
should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his
parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with
child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained
to the highest degree possible

The boy surprised the court  when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge
then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said
that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that
domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took
the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have
custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Dallas Cowboys
Football Team, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating
anyone.