The man who abducted a University of Virginia student last October has been sentenced to serve at least 25 years in prison. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
James Robert Allen, his wife, the victim and her mother all spoke during Allen's sentencing hearing on Tuesday. Allen had previously pled guilty to abducting and maliciously wounding the UVa student.
The student, identified by her initials, E.S., told the court that Allen attacked her suddenly while she walked home, strangling her and saying, "I'm going to kill you" before she blacked out. She was eventually able to escape Allen's truck and he was apprehended the next day. E.S. said she suffers from PTSD, severe anxiety, and depression because of the attack. Commonwealth's Attorney Joe Platania previously said in court that Allen fractured a bone in her neck and caused other injuries. E.S. said on Tuesday, [quote] "I've never felt more in pain in my life."
Allen's wife, Jessica, told the court he was a good father to her two older kids and the four children they had together. She described his abusive childhood and intermittent issues with alcohol, but said he'd always taken care of her.
Platania questioned Jessica about James Allen's previous conviction for violently attacking a woman in Warrenton in 2008. She did not believe he had committed that crime. Platania said that when questioned by his probation officer in Charlottesville, Allen admitted he "felt a sense of rage while committing the offense."
Allen spoke briefly on Tuesday, saying "I truly am sorry for what I've done. I know that I've scarred the victim," but he asked for leniency to prove he could change.
Chief Judge Claude V. Worrell noted that, while Allen had a lengthy criminal history, the record indicated he had stopped committing crimes for about 15 years. However, when he chose to reoffend, the nature of this attack was "not insignificant." He gave Allen 10 years in prison on the abduction charge and 20 years on the malicious wounding with five suspended, for a total active sentence of 25 years.
