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Ex-Vanderbilt football player and convicted rapist Brandon Vandenburg was sentenced to 17 years in prison Friday for the 2013 rape of an unconscious woman at a university dorm, according to WJHL.com.
The sentence was decided by judge Judge Monte Watkins just before noon, calling the case “one of the saddest cases” he’s ever seen.
The victim did not attend a Friday sentencing hearing in the case. Instead, Assistant District Attorney General Jan Norman read a statement from the woman before a judge sentenced Vandenburg.
Here’s how it read, per The Tennesseean:
“I had intended to give a detailed victim impact statement at today’s sentencing hearing specific to the effects of Mr. Vandenburg’s actions.
As a result of the last sentencing hearing in this case, that is no longer something that I am able to do.
I ask that my prior statement be referenced. Also two professionals who have helped me through this and witnessed the impact on me have submitted letters to you describing what they have seen and I ask that you consider those.
Please do not use my absence as an excuse for leniency, as it in no way diminishes the profound and insidious impact of Mr. Vandenburg on me and my life.
I still ask that he receive the full sentence allowed under the law for orchestrating the sustained 30-minute gang rape against me, a defenseless woman who trusted him.
The minimum sentence is not enough for what this man did to me.”
Vandenburg faced up to 25 years in prison. He has been jailed since his conviction and has since been added to the state’s sex offender registry.
Tyler Waddell is a member of the Saturday Down South news team. He brings over five years of professional journalism experience and is closing in on a Bachelor's in sports management. Follow him on Twitter (@Tyler_Waddell).
