Chester County man gets 9 to 18 years in assault on unborn child

A Chester County prosecutor took issue Thursday with an East Fallowfield man's pleas for leniency so he could support the twin boys he was convicted of assaulting in the womb.

In May, a Chester County Court jury convicted Shawn M. Walker-Johnson, 22, of aggravated assault on an unborn child and aggravated assault on his ex-girlfriend for four separate attacks between July and September 2010, during the woman's pregnancy.

Judge Anthony A. Sarcione sentenced Walker-Johnson to a prison term of nine to 18 years.

"What's shocking to this court is that these children were exposed to violence and trauma even before they were born," the judge said.

The judge said he listened carefully to the pleas for mercy he received from the defendant and his family. Eleven people, including Walker-Johnson's mother and stepfather, spoke in his behalf, and others submitted supportive letters.

"He is the best thing that ever happened to me," said his mother, Lovette Ellerbe. "He deserves a chance to redeem himself. I am requesting, I am begging, I am pleading . . . for as much leniency as possible."

The judge concluded that a lesser sentence would have depreciated the severity of the crimes, noting the multiple assaults.

"By pure luck" everyone survived, the judge said.

Defense attorney John Lachall had argued for a probationary sentence, citing his client's need to provide for his children, including a 3-year-old daughter from another relationship.

Wearing a crisp lavender dress shirt and jeans, Walker-Johnson, who had no criminal record, said he was remorseful. However, he never apologized to the victim, who was in the courtroom.

"I want to be the man my family deserves," he said, telling the judge he kept photos of the boys in his cell.

Assistant District Attorney Priya T. De Souza read an impact statement from the victim, who described motherhood as "the greatest gift in the world" and said she wished she had sought help to escape the abusive relationship sooner.

"I would like the defendant to know that I forgive him," she wrote.

First Assistant District Attorney Patrick Carmody, who had sought a sentence of 15 to 30 years, said Walker-Johnson made it clear he did not want the twins. After failing to talk the victim into an abortion, he engaged in an escalating series of beatings, one of which he administered in the bathroom of a hospital emergency room, Carmody said.

"Fortunately, she was able to reach an emergency cord" to summon help, Carmody said. "If he'd been successful, they'd be dead."