NIANGUA, Mo. (AP) — A southwest Missouri man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the beating, branding and rape of a woman.
The Springfield News-Leader reports 21-year-old David Lowery was sentenced this week. He pleaded guilty in August to forcible rape and first-degree assault causing serious physical injury.
Authorities in July charged Lowery, another man and two women in connection to the May attack. Two of the co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and the fourth has a plea hearing scheduled this month.
Authorities say the group beat the victim and held her down while Lowery raped her. They say she was then branded on the leg with a wire clothes hanger. Prosecutors say she is between 17 and 25 years old.