Topeka man gets half original sentence in rape case

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A Topeka man convicted of raping his 13-year-old adopted daughter will only have to spend another 14 years in prison, only half of his original sentence.

A Shawnee County Courtroom was full of emotion Friday as Chloe Howey, now 26, faced the man who raped and impregnated her, for the first time in almost 10 years.

“My stomach is still in knots,” said Howey following the re-sentencing hearing Friday.

Howey tried to remain composed while addressing the court as she recounted the repeated sexual abuse she endured from Michael Walter Hines Senior.

“She spoke from the heart. She has a really strong message. I thought she did a really good job articulating the kind of damage that people like this can cause. It’s damage that doesn’t stop, when they’re 13 it continues on for the rest of their life,” said Assistant Shawnee County District Attorney Todd Hiatt.

Despite handing down a lesser sentence, the district judge made it clear, he shares many of Howey’s feelings.

“The judge has seen just as many horrific cases as I had and I think you heard him say that this is one of the most egregious abuses he’s ever seen in his courtroom. I think we’d all like to sentence him to 586 months if we could,” said Hiatt.

But there was little else the court could do based on strict sentencing guidelines. Hines will spend a total of 24 years in jail, not the 48 years he was originally sentenced to.

“This shouldn’t have even happened,” said Howey.

Howey vows she’s not done fighting yet. Even with a reduced sentence she says Hines has not won.

“You know they say you can’t charge a man twice for the same thing because it’s double jeopardy, but this man did do the same thing over and over and over,” said Howey.

Howey’s half-sister claims Hines abused her too. Alleged crimes he’s not been prosecuted for.

“One of the things that we’ve done since then is change the statute of limitation, and so now it might be possible for Chloe’s sister to have her complaints heard as well,” said Hiatt.

The Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office is looking into that and Hines could face stricter penalties for that crime under Jessica’s Law, but there are no guarantees.

“What we’ve told her and what you all got to know is that it could be a short road. I mean just because we’re looking at it doesn’t mean we’ll find something,” said Hiatt.

Howey is considering all options to make sure Hines stays behind bars.

One option briefly mentioned in court Friday is a sexual offender reformation program.

It works to rehabilitate violent offenders – but only if they have an underlying mental health issue.

It’s up to the Department of Corrections to determine if an inmate qualifies.

Howey is also still looking for ways to prevent Hines from seeking custody of their child upon his release from jail.

I’ll tell you what the judge said to Hines after handing down the revised sentence; and have reaction from Chloe Howey tonight on #KSNT– Kaitlin Berry (@CiscoKate) April 8, 2016

Hines sentenced to maximum penalty allowed under new classification, 285 months; Nearly half his original sentence #KSNT– Kaitlin Berry (@CiscoKate) April 8, 2016

Hines plead guilty to raping Chloe Howey when she was 13yo; recent court decision could give him a shorter sentence https://t.co/EUmyyKLwpj– Kaitlin Berry (@CiscoKate) April 8, 2016

I’m at the Shawnee County Courthouse today, awaiting the re-sentencing hearing for Michael Walter Hines Sr pic.twitter.com/mGd1v8vQUD– Kaitlin Berry (@CiscoKate) April 8, 2016