Release Date: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 5 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Hanna Marie Whipple, 29 years old, previously residing in the 7000 block of Doummar Drive in Norfolk, was sentenced for one (1) count of Unlawful Wounding and one (1) count of Assault and Battery. Circuit Court Judge William R. O’Brien sentenced Whipple to a total of three (3) years and twelve (12) months, leaving her with four (4) months to serve in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. The suspended portion of her sentence is conditioned upon four (4) years good behavior and indeterminate supervised probation.
The defendant’s sentence was two months below the recommendation of state sentencing guidelines. The Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney prosecuting the case urged the court to go above the guidelines in sentencing Whipple.
At the trial, the Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on August 23, 2008, two pedestrians were struck by a vehicle in the parking garage on Columbus Street in Towne Center section of Virginia Beach. Upon further investigation by officers who arrived on the scene, it was determined the victim, Andrew King was struck by a vehicle multiple times. The victim’s friend, Jason was also struck by the same vehicle. The victim, Andrew King, was attending the bachelor party of the second victim, Jason inside the Cosmopolitan Club where a dispute broke out between a patron and the dancers at the party. The victim was an innocent by-stander and the judge found that Mr. King had no responsibility in the assault and that his life will forever be altered.
The victim was transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital and diagnosed with a broken collar bone, broken pelvis, broken arm, and a compound fracture broken leg. Mr. King further testified that this will affect him for the rest of his life. Mr. King testified at sentencing that his doctors say that at 35, he has the body of an 85 year old because of the assault by the defendant.
Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Eleanor J. Gaines prosecuted the case. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
Similar Press Releases: assault and battery, Harvey Bryant, unlawful wounding
