Man gets up to 20 years for holding woman captive
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By CORY MATTESON / Lincoln Journal Star
At the end of what was supposed to be his sentencing hearing last week, Timothy Schrader gave a thumbs up to family in the front row as he was led in handcuffs and shackles from the courtroom.
On Tuesday, he just waved goodbye.
Lancaster County District Court Judge John Colborn sentenced Schrader to no less than 13 years and four months and as many as 20 years in prison for imprisoning his girlfriend for what police believe was four days ending Jan. 4, 2007.
Schrader, 35, asked last week for permission to withdraw four no contest pleas he had entered. In court Tuesday, his lawyer, Chad Wythers, told Colborn that request had been withdrawn, and his client was ready for sentencing.
The sentence included five-year terms each for first-degree false imprisonment and attempted second-degree sexual assault, and 20-month to five-year sentences each for terroristic threats and attempted use of a weapon to commit a felony.
Colborn referred to what he called “somewhat indescribable” photos of the then-44-year-old victim, who, he said, had dozens of bruises, cuts, bite marks and possibly burns when police found her after being tipped off to suspicious behavior at 1215 Peach St., No. 4.
On Jan. 4, 2007, they kicked open the door and found the woman, who would tell officers she was held against her will in an apartment closet for about four days.
Wythers, acting on Schrader’s request, told Colborn the woman held a knife to his neck and, along with him, had abused substances so much that she may have imagined being held hostage.
Schrader originally pleaded no contest to the four counts on March 19. A fifth count, second-degree domestic assault, was dropped as part of the plea deal.
He said Tuesday he was sorry for what happened.
“I would just like to apologize to the victim,” Schrader said. “I know alcohol and drugs are a factor and since I’ve been incarcerated, I’ve obviously been sober and plan to be sober once I’ve been released. And I apologize to the court for taking up its time.”
Colborn gave Schrader credit for 501 days he has spent in jail.
Reach Cory Matteson at 473-7438 or cmatteson@journalstar.com.
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answer this wrote on May 21, 2008 11:42 am:
Ace wrote on May 21, 2008 9:43 pm:
drugs. She's no more a victim than he is. "