John Brian Herring, 42, has already pleaded guilty to first degree sexual assault. (Carolyn Hall Jensen (KTUU-DT)) |
The kidnap and sexual assault of a woman by her ex-husband was replayed in an Anchorage courtroom, as his sentencing was delayed.
John Brian Herring, 42, has already pleaded guilty to first degree sexual assault.
The issue at hand: how long would his sentence be?
What transpired was a mini-trial with evidence presented by an Anchorage police detective and a forensic nurse.
The crime took place in June 2009, when Herring's ex-wife had gone to his home to pick up a helmet, but police say when she arrived, he abducted her, and bound her with plastic zip ties and duct tape. Court records say Herring choked her to the point of unconsciousness, twice.
Anchorage Police Detective John Vandervalk testified today that there were numerous signs of a struggle at Herring's home, including marks in the driveway where she was dragged. The struggle was so violent, the detective said, that the washer and dryer in Herring's laundry room was moved out of place.
Vandervalk also told the court investigators found evidence that shows the crime was premeditated -- from websites on Herring's iPhone that indicated he was looking for ways to render his wife unconscious.
That same day, Vandervalk said Herring drove his ex-wife to a secluded place on the Hillside and raped her multiple times.
The victim told police she made her escape when Herring allowed her to go to the bathroom and she ran to a passing driver for help.
The sentencing hearing recessed at 12:30 p.m. and resumed at 2 p.m. Herring's ex-wife, who sat in the court room huddled next to her father, was expected to make a victim's statement.
The prosecution hoped Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton will hand down a 25-year sentence.
