WOOSTER — Wayne County Common Pleas Judge Corey Spitler, on Thursday, sentenced Joshua VanSickle to 20 years in prison for rape, kidnapping and assault.
Spitler echoed the sentiment of Sandy Parker, the sexual assault nurse who examined the victim following a domestic incident that occurred on Feb. 26, 2017. She said that it was the worst case she had ever seen when she described the trauma she witnessed and photographed.
"It is my experience that cases as serious as this, it is better not to say a lot," Spitler said, prior to handing down the sentence to VanSickle. "A great harm was caused and the only thing I will say is that this may be the most horrific domestic case I have seen in 30 years of being involved in the criminal justice system."
Capt. Scott Rotolo of the Wooster Police Department said previously the victim, a 40-year-old woman who was VanSickle’s wife at the time, had extensive injuries to her face, hands, throat and the back of her head. Court records also indicated her nose was broken.
VanSickle’s sentences will run consecutively, 10 years for rape, five years for kidnapping and five years for assault, with credit for time served.
The victim gave an emotional recount of the events that took place during the assault. "With the belt around my neck, I wondered what I could do to get out of here," the victim said as she wiped away tears. "Will this be the final time? Is this the time I will not be able to get away? Is this the time where the belt will be around my neck for one second too long?"
"When I came to, I was confused and disoriented. I wiped my nose and noticed the blood on my hand. What did I do, why is Joshua so angry? Why is he so mad? Then he comes to me, I had passed out, I am in shock and I am scared and I am pretty sure I am going to die."
She described what happened in detail to the courtroom, pausing at times and wiping tears away. "But, I am not a victim, I am a survivor."
The victim’s sister also spoke in court to VanSickle. "I saw my sister’s bruises and the emotional trauma you put her through," she said. "I still see how you changed her life forever, the scars that you caused. It was all there, in dozens and dozens of photos. I trusted you and I gave you the benefit of the doubt so many times, you failed all of us. Now, there is finally consequences for your actions."
VanSickle’s attorney, Eugene O’Byrne, said that he knows him in a completely different way. "He has always taken responsibility. He came into my office on Feb. 27, sat down and said to me that he had screwed up in a big way. I have seen remorse from him and I have seen the acceptance of responsibility. Up until now, he has never been arrested or charged or anything like that."
His brother also spoke in the courtroom and said that he would never turn his back on him
"I have no say in what happens today, but I come before you to ask for leniency and mercy," he said. "I know he is remorseful. I know my brother and I know that is not how he carries himself. I have seen him turn down money helping a woman with car issues."
VanSickle apologized to the victim, "from the deepest part of my heart, I am sorry," he said.
According to VanSickle’s attorney, an appeal is planned.
Reporter Dan Starcher can be reached at 330-287-1626 or dstarcher@the-daily-record.com. He is @danstarcher on Twitter.