Man gets 15 years in Vancouver child rape case

Man gets 15 years in Vancouver child rape case

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Story Published: Feb 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM PDT

Story Updated: Feb 10, 2008 at 1:47 PM PDT

By Associated Press

VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A 49-year-old Vancouver, Wash., man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison on child rape charges, although he told a judge he doesn't remember the trial that resulted in his conviction.

In September 2007, on the third day of his trial, U.S. Army Maj. Osadebe M. Anene tried to kill himself by overdosing on pills.

While Anene was comatose and hospitalized, the jury heard the rest of the evidence and convicted him.

Anene not only denies he sexually abused the now 7-year-old girl, he says he doesn't recall the proceedings that put him behind bars. The father of five is now blind and confined to a wheelchair.

The defense lawyer, Robert Vukanovich, says Anene has lost his family, his military career and is the "shell of a man he once was."

Yesterday ... Clark County Superior Judge Roger Bennett considered the argument and agreed Anene shouldn't receive an exceptional sentence of 29 years, which prosecutors were pursuing. Anene's lawyer had asked for 13 ½ years. Bennett decided on a sentence close to Vukanovich's recommendation.

Prosecutors say the victim who was abused by Anene for several months in 2005 will never recover from the abuse. They say the girl still has nightmares.

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