NORWICH – Kyle J. Hackett, the man who was convicted of sexually abusing and raping a 17-year-old female after a trial by jury, will be spending the next five years of his life behind bars.

Hackett, 31, of North Norwich, was sentenced to a determinate five year sentence by the Honorable Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. on the top charge which he was convicted of, sexual abuse in the first degree, a class D felony. In addition, Hackett was also sentenced to a determinate sentence of three years for his rape in the third degree conviction, a class E felony; and a subsequent sentence of a year for endangering the welfare of a child, a class A misdemeanor.

When the sentencing proceedings got underway in the Chenango County Courthouse on Friday, September 9, the defense had filed two motions for the dismissal of Hackett's verdict.

Judge Revoir noted that there were two grounds for dismissal conveyed by the defense. The first of these cases presented by the defense stated that the evidence presented during the defendant's trial was legally insufficient. Revoir denied this motion based on the fact that the victim testified during trial, and he believed that there was more than sufficient evidence for the jury to draw a guilty conclusion.

The second motion alleged that the court failed to allow defense counsel to review testimony from the detective involved in the investigation of the initial allegations. Revoir also denied this motion, based on the grounds that the detective testified under oath that he turned over all of his notes to both the District Attorney's Office as well as to the defense counsel before trial.

Following the denial of both motions, First Assistant Micheal D. Ferrarese read out a victim impact statement on behalf of the victim.

“Kyle subjected me to emotional and physical abuse,” the victim began. “Physically, I suffered from bruises, while I was emotionally traumatized. I eventually moved back into the house where the crime was committed. I slept with all the lights off and a chair under the door.”

The victim went on to describe how the incident not only affected her, but also had a huge impact upon her family. “Not only has this incident affected me, but it's put an emotional strain on my family,” the victim said. “I feel that my family has lost the real me as a result of this.”

The victim concluded her statement in a powerful manner. “My being raped will never change, and my nightmares will never end,” she said. “I always wondered who people would believe. I will never get my time or feelings back. I want him to feel caged. I want him to feel like he is the criminal. I am asking the court to impose the maximum sentence for him.”

Ferrarese then stated his own comments on the case, and began with the same words as he did in his opening statement at trial, “June 24, 2014, is a day that will forever be burned in the victim's mind.”

Ferrarese went on to say, “I think that the victim impact statement sums it all up. His actions are going to have a lifetime impact on the victim.”