Texas man gets 4,060 years in prison for sex abuse

Wed Jul 2, 2008 10:36 PM EDT
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WEATHERFORD — A man was sentenced to more than 4,000 years in prison Wednesday for sexually assaulting three teenage girls over two years.

A day after finding James Kevin Pope guilty, jurors sentenced him to 40 life prison terms — one for each sex assault conviction — and 20 years for each of the three sexual performance of a child convictions.

At the request of prosecutors, state District Judge Graham Quisenberry ordered Pope to serve the sentences consecutively, adding up to 4,060 years. He will be eligible for parole in the year 3209, according to the Parker County District Attorney's Office.

"We believe it was a just result," prosecutor Robert DuBoise said, adding that he was "overwhelmed" with the judge's decision to stack the sentences.

Pope, 43, of Springtown, abused the girls for nearly two years. It came to authorities' attention earlier this year after Pope made several inappropriate comments to a friend, who notified Child Protective Services.

During the trial, the teens testified about the abuse, and their sexually explicit photographs were shown as evidence.

But Rick Alley, Pope's defense lawyer, told jurors in closing arguments that the victims were incapable of understanding what happened, the Weatherford Democrat reported in its Wednesday online edition.

"If it was as traumatic as they indicate, they would be able to give you (specific dates and times of the incidents). Simply because it's shocking doesn't make it true," Alley said.

During the sentencing phase of the trial, a U.S. Secret Service agent testified that while examining Pope's home computer, he found more than 200 images of child porn.

Later Wednesday, some jurors said the case was difficult because of the subject matter.

"We were careful not to make any mistakes in viewing and evaluating the evidence," said juror Dale Lewis.

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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{"commentId":2109322,"authorDomain":"jeanpaul-939"}
Jean, Belgium

I thought the Bible read "An eye for an eye" and not "A life for an eye"

What this kind of sentence reflects three things
1) Justice must satiate the victim's need for for revenge "vital-for-her-healing-process", 2) Revenge must hurt the "felon" harsher than what he has inflicted upon the victim. 3) Justice must have no empathy or don't bother to get interested in the felon.

A Middle-Aged or a Taliban mentality ?

Statistically, it's very very unlikely that their lives will be destroyed, and unlikely that they won't have recovered after 10 years. Thus, one life sentence for the worst cases is enough.

At first reading, I wondered how they reached "4060".

"jurors sentenced him to 40 life prison terms -- one for each sex assault conviction -- and 20 years for each of the three sexual performance of a child convictions. At the request of prosecutors, state District Judge Graham Quisenberry ordered Pope to serve the sentences consecutively, adding up to 4,060 years"

1 life = 100 years !!!!

I thought that the highest life expectancies were to be found in countries such as Japan or Sweden. No, the New World Record is in the USA: 100 years, Oh my G** !

40 * 100 [life] + 20 * 3 = 4060 !

{"commentId":2109322,"threadId":"305166","contentId":"1634341","authorDomain":"jeanpaul-939"}
    Reply#1 - Thu Jul 3, 2008 6:26 AM EDT
    {"commentId":2112016,"authorDomain":"Maximillion"}
    Magnus-270135

    Jean, what statistics are you looking at???? I am a child abuse 'Survivor' and guess what, its been over 20 years and I still have not recovered from it. So, where are you getting your stats from???

    You make no sense at all with your post. How do you equate Middle-Age, Taliban with child molester's, please...inquiring minds want to know.

    Why do want any of us to be interested in the felon??? This 'cretin' has committed a heinous crime and I should care what he feels...come on. Where is the empathy for his victims???

    I will no longer answer nor reply to any of your postings...why, I think you are just not right and you enjoy the pain of other's and in my book YOU are just as bad as the 'cretins' you back up.

    See Ya...I pray NOT.

    {"commentId":2112016,"threadId":"305166","contentId":"1634341","authorDomain":"Maximillion"}
    • 1 vote
    #1.1 - Thu Jul 3, 2008 2:23 PM EDT
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    {"commentId":2109389,"authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}
    benjaminstraight

    Good.

    {"commentId":2109389,"threadId":"305166","contentId":"1634341","authorDomain":"benjaminstraight"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Thu Jul 3, 2008 7:05 AM EDT
    {"commentId":2109763,"authorDomain":"spike41615"}
    mike122287

    @ Jean

    are you friends with the convicted? He deserved it...and yes someone convicted of a crime should have worse punishment!! Stop being a spineless whiner

    {"commentId":2109763,"threadId":"305166","contentId":"1634341","authorDomain":"spike41615"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#3 - Thu Jul 3, 2008 8:45 AM EDT
    {"commentId":2111268,"authorDomain":"Maximillion"}
    Magnus-270135

    I could not believe the defense lawyer made this comment....This is from the above article.

    'Traumatic'
    But Rick Alley, Pope's defense lawyer, told jurors in closing arguments that the victims were incapable of understanding what happened, the Weatherford Democrat reported in its Wednesday online edition.

    Rick Alley, you are a sorry excuse of a human claiming that these girls are incapable of understanding what happened to them...serious. It's about time we have Judge's and Juror's that understand the damage that these 'cretins' cause in our society. I just want to Thank, District Judge Graham Quisenberry for finally having the cajones' to send a message and the sentence is not one I would have chosen, but I rather have him be in jail for the next 4000 years than out in 6 years. Personally, I would have given him the death penalty. Take that to the bank and you wonder why people resort to vigilante justice...this is proof....nuff said.

    To the parent's of these young victims', I'm sure no court would have convicted you had you done something to this 'cretin'. I am so sorry that your children had to go through so much at such a young age and I pray that the healing can now start for them, knowing that this 'cretin' will not be allowed to live among decent folks. God-speed in helping them get the proper help they will need. Since this 'cretin' and his attorney have no remorse, I will go ahead and say this 'I am sorry for all you have gone through'. No amount of words can undo what has happened, but know this, you are not alone and many of us are 'Survivor's' of such heinous acts. Be strong and believe that time is our best friend, you can forgive but please don't forget. Right now, the family and friends of these young children need to be there for them and understand that the healing will take a long time, but sometimes with the right support and help it may be sooner than later.

    @Jean, what is wrong with you, honestly, are you a closet pedophile or one that believes that people such as this 'cretin can be rehabilitated??? If so, open your home to them and I pray you have children and grand children for these 'cretins' to play with and come back in a month after they have lived with you. You sicken me. I was abused from the age of 8 at gun point and let me tell you this, I have not forgotten how sick I felt every time I saw this 'cretin' I called Uncle. Here's one for you, I was told to keep my mouth shut or members of my family would die. As a teenager, I told a social worker what was going on and her report to my family was that I was spoiled and looking for attention...WHAT!!!, are you kidding me. So, this person could have saved my brother from getting raped but decided due to being so short sighted that I was lying. Yes, this happened back in the late 70's and people were not as aware as today, but still no excuse for this type of behavior.

    @Rick Alley, I understand that everyone deserves an attorney, but your comment was unnecessary and demeaning to say the least. You are what is wrong with this country!!! Next time keep your mouth shut about victims, how dare you say this about them, are you now a child Psychologist also and able to predict the future????? You should be dis-barred for your atrocious comment. Wait a moment, you live in Texas, well Texans' this is your opportunity to show the world your famous Texas Justice. I am sitting here in disbelief at your comment, what hole or cave did you just crawl out from???? Please do the world a favor and don't procreate. You should be a poster child for birth control and if you do have children, have your client baby sit for you while you and your other half go on a month long vacation to prove your point. Yeah, that's what I thought...you wouldn't think of that for a moment, why would you endanger your own and yet you spew these ridiculous comments. Texas the world is watching. You're up.

    Just a suggestion to Newsvine...is it possible that you put in a down arrow, since you already have an up arrow, please. Just to even the field here in regards to comments. Thank You for allowing us to share our views with one another on this site.

    {"commentId":2111268,"threadId":"305166","contentId":"1634341","authorDomain":"Maximillion"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#4 - Thu Jul 3, 2008 12:43 PM EDT
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    breelaboyDeleted
    {"commentId":10433839,"authorDomain":"brianalampton"}
    brianalamptonDeleted
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