A woman convicted of running over a Shepherdsville police officer was sentenced to 40 years in prison Wednesday.
Taira Litsey attributed her actions to a psychotic episode brought on by mental illness and illegal drug use.
On July 3, 2016, a Shepherdsville Police Officer’s body camera recorded Litsey running over Officer Rocco Besednjak as he was attempting to arrest her on an outstanding warrant. Litsey was approached by Besednjak while standing next to a gas pump in a convenience store parking lot. Besednjak was dragged nearly 20 feet, and his leg was run over according to an officer who witnessed the incident.
Litsey was arrested 2 days later after officer traced her cell phone to an apartment complex on Bellvue Avenue in Louisville.
Litsey faced a maximum penalty of life in prison. Family members including her mother and teenage daughter, testified at sentencing on Litsey’s behalf, offering details on her life-long problem with mental illnesses including bipolar disorder.
Litsey was sentenced to 40 years and will be eligible for parole in 20. Prosecutor Mike Mann described the sentence as “appropriate.”
Officer Besednjak told the court he continues to endure debilitating pain from injuries he received in the encounter. Besednjak said he suffers from multiple ruptured and bulging disks in his back and neck, causing severe pain and weakness in his arms and legs.
He is retiring on a medical disability after his doctor determined he could not continue with his duties as a police officer.
Source: WAVE
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