NEW YORK, Jan 29 (Reuters) - A New York couple who faced life imprisonment on charges of holding a paralyzed woman captive for over a year received sentences on Thursday of more than a decade in prison in a plea deal with prosecutors.
Maureen Murray, now 61, was discovered by police in 2012 with broken bones and severe malnourishment, huddled on the floor of a bare apartment room in the city's Queens borough, prosecutors said.
Police had been called by Murray's niece who was concerned she could not reach her.
Prosecutors said Murray had been lured in 2011 by her former neighbor Mae Washington, 65, to rent an apartment together in order to save money.
But prosecutors said Washington and Patrick Donovan, 45, imprisoned Murray, beat her, taped her mouth shut and binded her limbs, although she was paralyzed on her left side.
Washington and Donovan faced 11 charges including kidnapping and unlawful imprisonment. In an agreement with prosecutors, they pleaded guilty to first-degree assault in state Supreme Court in Queens.
Under the plea deal, the victim was "thrilled" not to have to testify, Assistant District Attorney Patricia Theodorou said.
"She does not want to relive the nightmare and face them again," Theodorou said.
Prosecutors said the pair cashed Murray's Social Security checks and other benefits.
Sentenced to 11 years in prison, Washington said to Judge Barry Kron: "I don't feel like I deserve this."
"No, you don't. You deserve double," the judge replied.
Her attorney, John Ciafione, said afterward his client blamed the assault on her co-defendant, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Outside the courtroom, Donovan's attorney, Steve Goldenberg, said his client felt remorse and believed there had been a misunderstanding.
"He believes they were trying to help her," the attorney said. (Editing by Ellen Wulfhorst and Peter Cooney)
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.