Pocono News Section

Leyshon Sentence

Leyshon Sentence - Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 01:32AM EST

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -

The four women could have been killed, no question. They were in a place they felt safe, getting their hair done for the weekend, with good friends, when suddenly and without warning, evil walked through the front door.

It was one of the bloodiest attacks ever seen in Luzerne County . A man viciously beats four women at the Hairem Family Hair Salon in Plains Township . All four suffered serious injuries. Some of them still suffer the effects of the attack. All could have died. Leyshon was looking for drug money. He plead guilty and today came to court to learn his punishment.

Thomas Leyshon, who plead guilty to the hammer attack said, “Like I said before I apologize to all of them and their families. It was a bad mistake on my part and that day ruined my life. It is time to move on from here. It was so brutal. I don't remember what happened. It was out of character for myself. That is all I have to say."

But in court the families of the victims had a lot to say. Seven people, many holding back tears, told Leyshon how the attack changed their lives. One of his victims Joan Ostrowski, who was wheelchair bound at the time of the attack, suffered a fractured skull. She looked Leyshon straight in the eyes and told him she is a survivor. Joan says, "I just wanted him to know what a senseless act that he performed. There was no reason for it. I just don't know why he did it. I don't think I will get over it so I will try to put it behind me. I have tried to maybe get a little forgiveness but it's not there. I don't know if I will ever forgive him."

Leyshon was sentenced to 16 to 32 years in a state prison. Even Judge Micheal Toole told Leyshon this was a monstrous crime that has upset the community.