Nearly two years ago Abdiel Sandoval paralyzed his then 16-year-old girlfriend, Tracy Donis, when he stabbed her in the back. He was convicted of her attempted murder last week and today Justice Adolph Lucas sentenced Sandoval to 15 years in Jail.
Two character witnesses spoke on Sandoval's behalf but Abdiel Sandoval did not beg the judge for leniency- in fact he said nothing at his sentencing. A victim's impact statement from Tracy Donis was read in which she said that her future is ruined. In passing sentence, Justice Lucas chastened Sandoval - telling him he should have just walked away and found a new girlfriend. But Lucas's 15-year sentence is hardly consolation for Tracy's mother Glenda Donis. She today told Keith Swift why she is not happy with the sentence.
Glenda Donis, Victim's Mother
"I am not satisfied because in 15 years time he will be out and what about my daughter, she will be in a wheelchair for the rest of her life and I am not happy about that. That is too little, too little."
Keith Swift,
What was Tracy's reaction to the verdict?
Glenda Donis,
"She was happy because all this while he was out and now he will pay for what he did but he deserved more than that. He deserved life because he damaged my daughter for life. I am the mother and I know...it is hard for me to deal with her. Everyday I have to be patient with her because it is not easy. I am a mother and I know what I go through with her."
Sandoval's 15 year sentence is dated retroactively to July 20th. We note that under the new parole rules, with good behavior Abdiel Sandoval could be out of jail within 5 years when he is 26 years old. Justice Lucas advised the Donis family to file a civil suit against Sandoval if they want compensation.