(Lincoln, Neb.) - A Lincoln woman was sentenced to prison on Wednesday after she was found guilty of stabbing and causing severe injuries to two individuals in the yard outside a residence close to North 56th and Fremont streets almost a year ago. During the trial, Sondra Gray admitted to being present at the scene on May 13 but denied being responsible for the act.
On the day of her sentencing, the 42-year-old begged for probation with tears in her eyes, and during a lengthy statement to the judge, she spoke about being a victim of a "demonic attack."
Sondra Gray
"I remember the incident that led up to the situation and I know that there was a lot of evil, a lot of dark forces, that were involved," Gray said. "But even in my mind a lot does not add up, and I know that satanic power was invoked and summoned to be used against me."
She claimed that she has battled against wicked forces and has experienced a transformation through prayer while being imprisoned. "I attribute my progress to my faith in God," Gray expressed.
Her lawyer, Trevin Preble, revealed that Gray has faced numerous challenges in her life and is seeking continuous treatment for her mental health concerns.
During the trial, it was testified that on May 13, Anthony McManaman and Kristeen Dickson were residing in Gray's friend's house near 56th and Fremont streets when their daughter alerted them that a woman was outside slicing the tires of their van.
McManaman was the first to rush outside, where Gray's brother tackled him from behind and restrained him while Gray stabbed him. Although he did not know her name at the time, he identified the woman on trial as his attacker.
Dickson stated that she attempted to free McManaman when Gray attacked her with the knife and stabbed her twice in the rib area.
In March, a jury found Gray guilty of two counts of second-degree assault and two counts of using a deadly weapon.
During the sentencing hearing, Deputy Lancaster County Attorney Jeff Mathers urged the judge to take into account the long-term impact that Gray's actions had not just on the two individuals whom she had attacked, but also on their teenage daughter, who had witnessed the incident.
Ultimately, Lancaster County District Judge Kevin McManaman (who has no relation to the victim) stated that Gray's extensive criminal history and the violent nature of her crimes could not be overlooked. "The attack on these two innocent individuals was a despicable act," he stated. "It seems that you were initially caught vandalizing the tires of a minivan that you may have mistaken for someone else's, and it escalated into an attack when they intervened."
As a result, he sentenced Gray to 35 to 49 years for the assault and weapons charges, as well as a separate charge of felony driving under suspension. She will be required to serve approximately 17 years before being eligible for parole.
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