Jessica Ewing denied reduced sentence

MONTGOMERY COUNTY (WSLS 10) - A former Virginia Tech student convicted of murder is denied a lesser sentence in court Monday.

Jessica Ewing was sentenced in June to serve 45 years in prison for strangling fellow Virginia Tech student Samanata Shrestha to death last year.

Ewing filed a motion asking the judge to lessen the punishment to 30 years.

She cited several issues that she believed were not rightly considered, the main one being how badly she has been affected by sexual abuse she says she endured as a child at the hands of a friend's dad, and also a rape she suffered at Virginia Tech.

Ewing also said alcohol contributed to her decision-making the night of the murder. She contended that she did not plan the murder or use a weapon, as the commonwealth attorney suggested.

Whether or not a weapon is used typically factors into the sentencing guidelines that the judge receives.

The judge denied Ewing's request, saying that although he believes her account of what happened, 45 years is an appropriate punishment.

Ewing spoke through tears for much of the proceeding. She said what she did to Samanata Shrestha was inexcusable, heinous and the worst thing that could have happened.

Ewing can appeal Monday's ruling if she chooses.

Ewing filed the motion to reconsider her sentence, alleging that the 85 years with 40 suspended was excessive. A motion like this one can be filed at any time up until the Department of Corrections comes to pick Ewing up from the local jail, Pettitt said.

Ewing entered the plea back in February for first degree murder charges against her before her jury trial was set to start. The plea allowed her to maintain innocence knowing prosecutors had evidence which could convict her.

Ewing also pleaded guilty to a felony charge of altering, transporting or concealing a body.