The Mountain-Ear
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| Lovelace sentenced six years to life |
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| Written by administrator | |
| Wednesday, 02 December 2009 | |
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Barbara Lawlor GILPIN COUNTY On Friday afternoon, District Court Judge Jack Berryhill sentenced John Arthur Lovelace to a minimum of six years in prison and perhaps for the rest of his life depending on him. The sentencing took place at the Gilpin County court. Lovelace pled guilty to one count of sexual assault on a child while in a position of trust, but did not take full blame for his actions. Two of the victims’ parents attended the sentencing to speak about the impact that Lovelace’s crime had on their children. The first to speak was the father of an 11-year old boy who said that Lovelace had asked his son to help clear brush from his yard. He offered the boy marijuana and said he’d give him cash not to tell anyone. Lovelace had hung out with the family for about two years and one night the boy passed out and woke up to find Lovelace on his bed. In August he told his sister that something had happened and he needed help. The boys’ father said, “I don’t trust a lot of people, but I built a trust with John and I don’t want to let him get away with this. What he did has put our son’s life on hold. He took my child’s innocence at an early age. He will not get caught up to grade level and now has issues with self-esteem. I hope justice is done, hope he gets the high end of the sentence. He has manipulated his way in at every courtroom and should be held accountable for his actions.” The mother of the second victim said her son was assaulted 11 years ago, when he was 11 years old. She said at that time he changed, complained of claustrophobia and didn’t want people touching him. He was stressed and afraid and spent time crying in the bathroom. She says that around that time he developed diabetes. “I blame myself for not knowing,” the mother told the judge. “By fifth grade, he was acting out and put into special education. John took advantage of my son, enticing him with job offers and drugs. My son began having nightmares. Now that John is jail, my son is free.” The victim’s mother told the judge that no one knows how many victims there may be and that pedophiles don’t change. Lovelace’s defense attorney said his client could not be held accountable for anyone’s illness or loss of business. “He is not the devil incarnate. Mr. Lovelace can get treatment and get better. He knows what he was doing was wrong.” Loveland took the stand, wearing his grey and white striped jail suit, saying he was not denying that the sexual assaults happened. “But they wanted it,” he told the judge. “I have been sober for a year and I have come to realize the devastation that I caused. I sincerely apologize. This is the worst thing I have ever done.” He went on to say that his mom recently died of cancer and his dad was having financial difficulties and that he could help. “I have lost everything, my friends, my family and my dogs.” Judge Berryhill considered what Lovelace said and then said there are four purposes to sentencing. The first is to punish the offender and sexual offenders usually need a lifetime of treatment. He said sentencing needed to be fair and he often based his sentences on what other judges are doing in similar cases. The third reason for a sentence is to prevent crime, to proved a deterrent and the fourth issue is to provide rehabilitation, to find programs for them that result in healing. Although Lovelace has had various criminal charges against him in the past, this is his first felony. He faces DWAI charges out of Boulder County. Judge Berryhill mentioned the fact that the two cases involved a long period of time and also said the age difference between Lovelace and the boys is 32 years and 39 years and that the boys were not in a position to defend themselves. “They were enticed with drugs and alcohol. This was a self-indulgent act with two young boys. Taking advantage of that trust makes means there are aggravating circumstances. Because the defendant said 'They wanted it,' I find him not amenable to treatment. Because of his lack of cooperation and his denial, he is a risk to the community if a probation request is granted.” Judge Berryhill went on to say that, in Lovelace’s case, there is a high risk for recidivism. “This is a criminal court; not a mental health facility and we have to consider the safety of the community.” Lovelace was sentenced to the department of corrections, with a minimum of six year to life, depending on when he could be considered safe to be in society. The judge said he would revisit the sentence every four years after Lovelace completes his six years in prison. Then, if he is released, there will be a 10-year parole period. He told the victim’s parents that they can file for restitution. The boy’s father said he felt that justice had been done and the mother of the older boy, now 22 years of age, said “There have to be other victims during this past 10 years and I wish they would come forward.” |
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| Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 December 2009 ) |
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