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Victim confronts rapist

Convicted rapist Jonathan Hinton, 46, of Marietta, prepares to sit down for his sentencing in Washington County Common Pleas Court Thursday. JANELLE PATTERSON The Marietta Times

The Marietta woman who survived a rape, strangulation and was at one point believed dead last summer, spoke to her rapist Thursday in court.

“You were my friend, you gave me advice and spoke to me truth,” she said. “But on June 16, 2017 you robbed me of who I was. I am no longer me. You destroyed both of our lives that day.”

At the sentencing, the victim spoke of the medical struggles she has faced since the fateful summer night she had spent enjoying a few drinks with neighbors, including Jonathan Hinton, 46, who at the time of the rape was living in a camper at 111 West Montgomery St., Marietta.

“Now you have filled me with hate, hate for who I am, for that day… I wanted many times to kill myself… Since that day I have lived in limbo,” she said to Hinton in Washington County Common Pleas Judge Randall Burnworth’s courtroom. “Your honor, he took away a life… He needs to know that what he did is not OK. I still have problems with my throat, I still have problems with my brain. I go for a walk and I get lost. They have to remind me to take my medicine every day. I will never again be the person I was. I will always have to have home hospice care for the rest of my life.”

Hinton previously pleaded guilty to rape, a first-degree felony, on March 14. The maximum sentence he faced was 11 years, but Burnworth ordered a definite prison term of five years, with five years of post-release control following the completion of his sentence.

The victim, 59, said she was disappointed with the sentence Hinton received, because she will have to live with the impact of his actions for the rest of her life.

But before the sentence was handed down, Washington County Assistant Prosecutor Joe Derkin explained the events of the night the victim lost her independence.

“Here we had an event where the victim was drinking with a bunch of neighbors and was left in the trust of the defendant to be walked home,” described Derkin. “Instead he forced her onto his bed. He held her down despite her struggles and there’s evidence that he strangled her with his bare hands.”

The victim was left without a pulse.

“I was dead for 48 minutes, that’s what I was told,” she explained after the sentencing. “When I was found I was stiff. I had no heartbeat, I was told by my family that the doctor told them I may never come out of my coma, or breathe on my own again.”

She said she has lost her memory of basic tasks, as well as her career.

“I don’t know what I am now. Before, I was a supervisor with three shifts below me, I was an intelligent person, and independent person,” she said. “After finding out there have been 19 other incidents I think he should have had a stiffer sentence. (But) I don’t wish him any harm. I pray for him everyday. I want him to find God, I want God to change his life and I hope he will find his spiritual path and become a better person.”

Derkin said he was in awe of the strength of the victim shown Thursday.

“Finally a victim of his stood up to this man,” Derkin said. “She may have saved many others from becoming victims too.”

Derkin noted during sentencing a long history of violence against women, with convictions for domestic violence and assault. He said other victims of sexual assault prior to Hinton’s former neighbor have been too scared to follow through pressing charges against Hinton.

Hinton will also remain a Tier III registered sex offender for the remainder of his life.

He declined to give a statement to the court during the hearing.

At a glance

¯ Jonathan Hinton, 46, formerly of 111 West Montgomery St., Marietta, was sentenced to five years in prison Thursday.

¯ Hinton had previously pleaded guilty to rape, a first-degree felony.

¯ Hinton will also remain under post-release control for five years after serving his definite sentence.

Source: Washington County Common Pleas Court

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