EL CAJON--20-year-old Jeffrey Edward Nelson looked unemotional and sat motionless as a jury convicted him of attempted murder and torture of 76-year-old Natalie "Sandy" Herbst Vinge.
In December of last year, Vinge was kidnapped from her La Mesa home, beaten, and put in the trunk of a car. She was eventually saved by a Sheriff who pulled over her captors for a traffic violation. Vinge was able to make enough noise to get the Sheriff's attention, who helped free her.
More than a year later, Vinge has mostly healed from her bruises and is grateful she does not have to worry about Nelson returning to her door. "I'm so pleased because if they had let him go, I wouldn't have been able to live here, I'd have to move."
She thanked all her friends and family who helped her get through this difficult time. She also was grateful the jury did not take Nelson's side.
"Some people may have thought he was nicer, because he was being very nice in court, but he's not nice" she said.
Prosecutor Paul Greenwood said Vinge was one of the most "remarkable" people he's ever met. "In all the cases I've handled in the last 13 years of elder abuse cases, every victim is special but she demonstrated amazing qualities. I don't know how any of us could have gone through the ordeal that she went through."
The jury only took 3 hours to reach this decision. "The worst part of a trial is waiting for the jury for a verdict...their quick verdict...I think sends a message."
Nelson had already plead guilty to ten other counts including burglary and carjacking, but wanted to face a jury on the attempted murder and torture charges.
His attorney, Bart Sheela, would not comment to media. He said he had "nothing good to say" and added he had flu-like symptoms and wanted to get home to take some cold medicine.
Nelson faces a sentencing hearing on February at the Courthouse in El Cajon. His accomplice Luis Osborne has a status hearing for his only trial scheduled for December 21st.
Vinge is looking forward to moving forward. "I am happy because this young man won't be able to do this to anybody else. And that's a strong concern of mine because there are ladies out there who are my age and who aren't as strong as I am."
