Court Confrontation During Sentencing
On Tuesday, one woman stood tall as her attacker was sentenced. Actually, she did much more than just standing tall when the man who kidnapped, raped, and threatened to kill her was sentenced. Rather than just listen to the sentence like everyone else, this 31-year old woman stood up and challenged her attacker to look at her before he left for his 30 year stint in prison.
As this woman looked at Thomas E. Hooks, she spoke with confidence and authority. “I am a human being”, she told him. She went on to say that she is no longer afraid because of what he has done to her, but that her family fears everything for the same reason. “I will never think of you again after today, but I assure you, you will think of me for the rest of your life.”
Prosecutors mentioned that despite the 30 year sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Antonio Robaina, Hooks may be in prison much longer. In fact, he faces similar charges in Maryland, where his DNA has been matched in another rape case. The Maryland attack occurred three months before the attack in Connecticut.
The good news for Hooks is that he is no stranger to crime. In the late 80s, Hooks was sentenced to 12 years in prison for a similar crime as those mentioned above. In that case, he forced a woman’s vehicle off the road with his semi-truck and held a gun to her while he raped her twice before letting her go.
Hooks, never one to brag, informed the state police that he was able to trick women into getting into his truck all over the eastern United States. With bragging like that, it’s highly likely that there are more women out there that have met the same fate. The assistant DA would like to see Hooks remain in prison for the rest of his life. Otherwise, she, like many others involved in these cases, fear that he will go on to rape others.
Hooks was originally sentenced in Florida for his 1988 crime. He served less than half of his sentence and was able to secure another job as a truck driver, working out of Alabama this time. Of course, this isn’t the first time that Florida’s inept justice system has caused a series of subsequent crimes. However, this is not the most interesting part of this story.
During sentencing, Hooks told the judge that he had found God and given himself to the Lord completely. He went on to say that he had denied his problem, but he realizes that he has one. He even prays that God takes the monster out of his heart. With something as touching as that, how could you not want to give to his legal defense fund?
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