Hausen was convicted by a Loudoun County jury after they deliberated for more than three hours. The jury at the time recommended an 111-year sentence and a $50,000 fine for Hausen. Under Virginia law a judge may reduce a jury’s recommendation by providing written reasons, but may not increase a jury’s recommendation. Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney, Gigi Lawless and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Russet Perry presented evidence over the course of the three-day trial. According to reports, Hausen was acquainted with the 7-year-old girl. Members of the victim’s family testified during the sentencing phase of the trial. During the testimony of one family member, the jury was asked to assess Hausen by asserting that “it’s the things you do when no one is watching” that tell others about your character and that it was the actions Hausen took when no one was watching that made an “irreparable” impact on their family. Perry asked the jury to “speak for the community” and to consider a sentence that would “protect the members of the public and the community.” The prosecutor also asked the jurors to remember that the “pictures in this case are not just images of crime scenes, but these are experiences for the victim; they are her memories. These are memories that this victim and her family can never walk away from. These memories can never be erased.”--Loudon Times
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 22:14:49 +0000
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