A 62-year-old Ethiopian immigrant living in Worthington has been sentenced to about 10 years in prison for nearly killing his wife and adult daughter with a hammer.
Dessalegne Fissiha Desta was sentenced Friday in Nobles County District Court after pleading guilty to two counts of first-degree assault in the attack last May that he said was caused by his wife’s
decision to go to Ethiopia for a visit without him.
The wife and daughter both had severe injuries.
In lengthy exchanges at the sentencing hearing, Desta’s family urged leniency and said they had forgiven him and contended his actions in part were influenced by his cultural upbringing in Ethiopia. Desta’s daughter wrote in a letter to the court that her father had immigrated 10 years ago to the United States “when he was old” and therefore “cannot understand the lifestyle.”
However, Nobles County Attorney Kathy Kusz argued that Desta at several hearings appeared unrepentant for his actions and at one time seemed to blame his daughter for starting the confrontation.
Kusz also argued that even though the two have recovered from their injuries, they were close to death at the time of the attack.
Originally, Desta was charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder along with the assault charges, all of which are felonies. In September of last year, Desta signed a plea agreement that would dismiss the two attempted murder charges with the agreement he would be sentenced on the assault charges according to Minnesota sentencing guidelines.
In November, Desta attempted to withdraw his plea questioning the severity of the charges. District Court Judge Gordon Moore denied Desta’s motion last month, which led to Friday’s sentencing.
Four of Desta’s six children were present in the courtroom and not only the victimized daughter but also his wife had sent letters to Moore asking for leniency and mercy.
Kusz said the family’s position in the case is that all of the family has forgiven Desta of his crime. Kusz indicated the family said Desta had demonstrated remorse for the attack, and that he feared both the government’s and God’s punishments for what he did.
Kusz noted the family’s concern over Desta’s deteriorating health while he has been in jail since last May. She read the letter written by Desta’s wife calling him a “careful and caring man” who “wanted the best for his family.” The letter also said that she and her children had changed in the 10 years since they had immigrated to the United States.