Medford, Ore. — Powerful emotions swept a Josephine County courtroom Wednesday as Paul Reyes was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
In January on his second day of trial, Reyes pleaded guilty to hitting his then-girlfriend’s two-year-old son on multiple occasions after a video was played in court showing him confessing to the Oregon State Police. Josephine County District Attorney Ryan Mulkins said Reyes hit two-year-old Andrew so hard the little boy now has disabilities that could stay with him the rest of his life.
“Every parent has hopes and dream for their child,” said Andrew’s mother Kayla Allee in court.
However for her son Andrew, who is now three years old, life will be a struggle.
Mulkins said it happened on multiple occasions in December of 2013 with Reyes hitting the child so hard, it caused potentially irreversible damage to the child’s left leg, arm and eye sight.
“Your honor, the person who took Andrew’s life is sitting right there,” said Shari Stading, Andrew’s grandmother as she pointed at Reyes.
The prosecution brought a number of witnesses to the stand, calling into question Reyes’ character.
Reyes’ ex-girlfriend Jena Goode testified and described Reyes as controlling and quick to get angry. In court she spoke about four times she says Reyes assaulted her. She said the second assault was the worst.
“He was on top of me strangling me and it felt like forever. At one point I thought this is it. I’m going to die,” said Goode.
Mulkins also had Christian April Burke give her testimony over the phone. Burke said she’s still legally married to Reyes because he wouldn’t sign divorce papers. Like Goode, Burke also described Reyes as controlling and abusive.
People who served with Reyes in the army also testified over the phone.
Reyes served two tours in Iraq. The first lasted for only four months before William Spradling, Reyes’ Army Supervisor said he was discharged for shoplifting at a store on the military base. Spradling said in Reyes’ second tour in Iraq, which lasted 6-8 months, Reyes was caught stealing again at the post exchange.
John Dykes who is now retired from the army but served with Reyes, said Reyes had issues with integrity, honesty and lying.
According to Mulkins, a report states Reyes was booted from the army because of a “pattern of misconduct.”
However, one person who served in the military with Reyes said he was well-liked by both Americans and Iraqis.
“Everyone seemed to love him,” said a man whose last name was Malaki.
According to Malaki, Reyes was often called “White Big Heart” by Iraqi civilians.
In addition, Reyes’ mother Debby Reyes spoke in court defending her son. She said he had PTSD from his service in Iraq and she tried to get him help multiple times.
Debby Reyes said after her son’s first tour in Iraq, she knew he had come back different. Even so, she said her son would not hurt a child.
“I don’t believe my son is responsible for all this,” said Debby Reyes.
Andrew’s supporters wore green in the courtroom to show support for the little boy.
Reyes pleaded guilty to assault in the third degree, two counts of criminal mistreatment and first degree assault, which is a felony.
Mulkins asked for the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. That amount of time was something Andrew’s family wanted too.
“The only sentence that seems reasonable is 20 years. After all the defendant gave my baby a life sentence that he did not deserve,” said Allee.
Reyes spoke in court late Wednesday afternoon apologizing to Andrew, his family and friends.
Judge Pat Wolke said he gave Reyes the maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, to send a message to others who have “explosive anger” problems.
Mulkins said it’s possible Reyes will be able to get his sentence reduced by a maximum of 20% for his final 150 months if he behaves well in prison.
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