Staff writer Milan Simonich reports from Akron, Ohio, on the sentencing of Damian Bradford.
Previous Post-Gazette articles, photos and graphics, plus federal court documents, are available on our Moonda index page.
AKRON, Ohio -- The man who shot a Mercer County, Pa., doctor at the behest of the doctor's wife received 17 1/2 years in prison today for his part in the crime.
Damian Bradford, formerly of Center, Beaver County, Pa., admitted he shot Dr. Gulam Moonda on May 13, 2005, on the Ohio Turnpike. He testified against his lover, Donna Moonda, who was convicted last week and faces the possibility of the death penalty.
At the sentencing hearing in federal court here this morning, Judge David Dowd accepted the sentencing deal worked out between prosecutors and the defense. He said he accepted the government's argument that it had a largely circumstantial case against Mr. Bradford and feared that if he were acquitted, it would have been difficult to bring a case against Mrs. Moonda.
The turning point occurred when Mrs. Moonda invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to testify at a trial for Mr. Bradford.
Mr. Bradford, 26, made reference to that today, saying he "felt betrayed" by "that person who was going to be there in my time of need."
He also said he was motivated to testify by his remorse and his desire to let Dr. Moonda's family know the truth.
He also told the judge that he was responsible for his actions.
Prosecutors read a letter from Dr. Moonda's nephew recalling the contributions he had made as a urologist in the Hermitage area and to his family back in India. The letter called only for a sentence befitting the crime for Mr. Bradford but made it clear the family held Mrs. Moonda more responsible.
Mrs. Moonda was not in the courtroom but one of her attorneys was. She faces a hearing next week in the penalty phase of her case.
More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
First Published: July 11, 2007, 2:45 p.m.
