Justin Hamilton torture case: an update

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota (June 15, 2009) - Further to my post on April 16, the Star Tribune reports that John Maniglia, 21, was sentenced to eight years in prison on Monday for his role in the kidnapping, assault and torture of Justin Hamilton (pictured) in October last year. From the article:

John Maniglia, 21, had pleaded guilty in April to one county each of kidnapping, third-degree assault and theft as his trial was about to begin. Seven other charges against him were dropped. The eight-year prison term, handed down by Judge Tim Wermager, is twice the recommended sentence.

"We are pleased that this defendant has been held responsible for his actions in this violent kidnapping and assault," County Attorney Jim Backstrom said in a press release issued today.

Backstrom has said the longer sentence was necessary because of the cruelty of Maniglia's crimes.

As reported earlier by FRIDA, Mr Hamilton was kidnapped on two successive days and kicked and beaten more than 100 times, tied to a tree and burned repeatedly with a lighter. In November, 2008, Maniglia's 16-year-old girlfriend, Natasha Dahn, who provoked the beating by lying to Maniglia and others, claiming that Hamilton had hit her, pleaded guilty to four felonies in exchange for extended juvenile jurisdiction. Another man, Johnathon Diepold, age 22, is scheduled for jury trial on July 27 for various charges in connection with the attack, including kidnapping, theft, third degree assault and false imprisonment. Two other men, Glen Ries, 34, and Timothy Ketterling, 22, have pretrial conferences scheduled for June 22.

For earlier reports, see here and here, and also here, here and here.

Justin Hamilton torture case: an update

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA - Further to my posts in October and December 2008 about the kidnapping, assault and torture by four men and one woman of 24-year-old Justin Hamilton, who has developmental disabilities, the Star Tribune has reported that 20-year-old John Maniglia pleaded guilty on Tuesday to his role in the attack:

As jury selection in his trial was about to begin, John M. Maniglia pleaded guilty to one count each of kidnapping, third-degree assault and theft. He faces at least eight years in prison, twice the recommended sentence.

As reported earlier by FRIDA, Mr Hamilton was kidnapped on two successive days and s kicked and beaten more than 100 times, tied to a tree and burned repeatedly with a lighter. In November, Maniglia's 16-year-old girlfriend, Natasha Dahn, who provoked the beating by lying to Maniglia and others, claiming that Hamilton had hit her, pleaded guilty to four felonies in exchange for extended juvenile jurisdiction. Three other men, Johnathon Diepold, age 22, Glen Ries, 34, and Timothy Ketterling, 22, are scheduled for jury trial on April 27, May 11, and June 22 respectively for various charges in connection with the attack, including kidnapping, theft, third degree assault and false imprisonment. Maniglia will be formally sentenced on June 15.

For earlier reports, see here and here and also here and here.

Justin Hamilton update

Dakota County, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA - In early October, FRIDA reported on the kidnapping, assault and torture by four men and one woman of 24-year-old Justin Hamilton, who has developmental disabilities. According to reports in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press, the female defendant, Natasha Dahn, 16, pleaded guilty last Wednesday to two-counts of kidnapping, third degree assault, and aggravated robbery in connection with assault of Mr Hamilton. Ms Dahn will serve 60 to 90 days in youth detention before spending a year in a residential counselling program. She will remain on probation until she turns 21, and is ordered to pay restitution and apologize to Mr Hamilton. She is also expected to testify against the four other defendants. Dahn admitted that she had lied to her boyfriend before the beatings, saying that Mr Hamilton had assaulted her; she and four men then lured him to a remote area where they tortured him "for hours" on October 10 and 11. As reported by FRIDA, Mr Hamilton was kicked and beaten more than 100 times, tied to a tree and burned repeatedly with a lighter. For earlier reports, see here and here.