SANTA FE, N.M. - A woman was convicted of kidnapping for planning an attack in which four of her friends assaulted and attempted to castrate her ex-boyfriend.
Melissa French, 27, was convicted Wednesday and faces at least 18 years in prison - more than any of the attackers, all of whom accepted plea deals with prosecutors.
The men attacked Donald Hamilton at his Santa Fe home in June 2002. A Russian assault rifle was placed in Hamilton's mouth and later fired between his legs, and the word "narc" was carved into his forehead with a pocketknife. He suffered separated shoulders, stab wounds and broken bones.
French was acquitted of kidnapping Hamilton, but convicted of kidnapping his roommate, who was held down during the attack.
French's attorney, Stephen Aarons, said he was shocked by the jury's verdict. He said French's 3-year-old daughter, who suffers from cancer, will be dead and her 10-year-old son will be grown by the time French is released. She should have thought about that while she was trying to turn the ex into a eunuch.
Aarons said French had turned down a plea deal that carried a minimum four-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors said French told the attackers - including her ex-husband, Haley G. French - that Hamilton had burglarized Haley French's home.
After showing the men where Hamilton lived, Melissa French was dropped off at a convenience store while Hamilton was attacked, prosecutor Linda Lonsdale said.
What a maroon...
Melissa French, 27, was convicted Wednesday and faces at least 18 years in prison - more than any of the attackers, all of whom accepted plea deals with prosecutors.
The men attacked Donald Hamilton at his Santa Fe home in June 2002. A Russian assault rifle was placed in Hamilton's mouth and later fired between his legs, and the word "narc" was carved into his forehead with a pocketknife. He suffered separated shoulders, stab wounds and broken bones.
French was acquitted of kidnapping Hamilton, but convicted of kidnapping his roommate, who was held down during the attack.
French's attorney, Stephen Aarons, said he was shocked by the jury's verdict. He said French's 3-year-old daughter, who suffers from cancer, will be dead and her 10-year-old son will be grown by the time French is released. She should have thought about that while she was trying to turn the ex into a eunuch.
Aarons said French had turned down a plea deal that carried a minimum four-year prison sentence.
Prosecutors said French told the attackers - including her ex-husband, Haley G. French - that Hamilton had burglarized Haley French's home.
After showing the men where Hamilton lived, Melissa French was dropped off at a convenience store while Hamilton was attacked, prosecutor Linda Lonsdale said.
What a maroon...