10-21-2011, 09:01 PM
Murderer Forbes weeps in court as he is sentenced to 48 years for attack on Lydia Tillman
By Monte Whaley
The Denver Post
Updated: 10/21/2011 01:29:05 PM MDT
FORT COLLINS — Convicted killer Travis Forbes wanted to skip his sentencing hearing today for his attempted murder of Lydia Tillman last July in Fort Collins.
But Larimer County District Judge Thomas French denied his motion to be absent, so Forbes was forced to listen again to Tillman's words of foregiveness and defiance Friday morning.
"My spirit and my soul, in my mind, remains untouched," said Tillman wrote in a message to Forbes read aloud by French. "I wish you peace in this life."
French then sentenced Forbes to 48 years in prison to be served consecutive to the life sentence he received last month for the murder of Kenia Monge, 19, whose body was recovered from a grave near Keenesburg.
....
Forbes beat and sexually assaulted Tillman at her north Fort Collins apartment early July 5. He then tried to destroy DNA evidence by setting her home on fire, but Tillman was able to leap out of a second-story window.
Tillman suffered a stroke on the way to the hospital and endured nerve damage on her right side and other side effects of a severe beating, police said.
....
"What you did is dark and inexplicable," the judge said.
But his attack also shined a light on Tillman's courage, French said.
"I can honestly say, I won't remember much about you but rather I'll hold the memory of her (Tillman's) heroism," said French.
At one point in today's hearing, Forbes put his head on the defendant's table and wept.
But prosecutor Michelle Brinegar wasn't convinced Forbes was showing true remorse.
"I don't think his remorse is not serious at this point," Brinergar said. "He just seems to love the spotlight."
more at link http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19165091
By Monte Whaley
The Denver Post
Updated: 10/21/2011 01:29:05 PM MDT
FORT COLLINS — Convicted killer Travis Forbes wanted to skip his sentencing hearing today for his attempted murder of Lydia Tillman last July in Fort Collins.
But Larimer County District Judge Thomas French denied his motion to be absent, so Forbes was forced to listen again to Tillman's words of foregiveness and defiance Friday morning.
"My spirit and my soul, in my mind, remains untouched," said Tillman wrote in a message to Forbes read aloud by French. "I wish you peace in this life."
French then sentenced Forbes to 48 years in prison to be served consecutive to the life sentence he received last month for the murder of Kenia Monge, 19, whose body was recovered from a grave near Keenesburg.
....
Forbes beat and sexually assaulted Tillman at her north Fort Collins apartment early July 5. He then tried to destroy DNA evidence by setting her home on fire, but Tillman was able to leap out of a second-story window.
Tillman suffered a stroke on the way to the hospital and endured nerve damage on her right side and other side effects of a severe beating, police said.
....
"What you did is dark and inexplicable," the judge said.
But his attack also shined a light on Tillman's courage, French said.
"I can honestly say, I won't remember much about you but rather I'll hold the memory of her (Tillman's) heroism," said French.
At one point in today's hearing, Forbes put his head on the defendant's table and wept.
But prosecutor Michelle Brinegar wasn't convinced Forbes was showing true remorse.
"I don't think his remorse is not serious at this point," Brinergar said. "He just seems to love the spotlight."
more at link http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_19165091