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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Shooting suspect back in Jackson County ... Medford council will study rec center idea ... Someone shooting pellets at cars near Eagle Point ... Shooting suspect back in Jackson County ... Medford council will study rec center idea ... Someone shooting pellets at cars near Eagle Point ... Strangulation victim was lucky to have survived Woman's ex-boyfriend was sentenced to nearly 6 years in prison after pleading guilty last week to a lesser charge A woman who was strangled and left for dead by her ex-boyfriend was lucky to have survived, a Jackson County prosecutor said following a recent guilty plea by her attacker. Comment By sanne specht MailTribune.com By sanne specht Posted Oct. 26, 2007 at 12:01 AM By sanne specht Posted Oct. 26, 2007 at 12:01 AM » RELATED CONTENT • AP: Man accused in boy's death is on parole for previous Jackson County assault... » Social News A woman who was strangled and left for dead by her ex-boyfriend was lucky to have survived, a Jackson County prosecutor said following a recent guilty plea by her attacker. "This was the single worst incident of strangulation that I'd ever seen," said John Norton, deputy district attorney for Jackson County. The victim, who asked not to be identified, suffered broken blood vessels and lay in a coma on a respirator for days after the Aug. 26 attack, Norton said. "She was very lucky that a bystander found her," he said. Ricardo Gutierrez, 30, pleaded guilty to second-degree felony assault after admitting he strangled his 25-year-old former girlfriend that Sunday morning, then left her lying unconscious in the shrubs near Rogue Valley Medical Center, Norton said. Gutierrez originally was charged with attempted murder and second degree assault. He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge on Oct. 16 and was sentenced to 70 months in prison for the Measure 11 crime. If the case had gone to trial and had Gutierrez been found guilty of attempted murder, the maximum penalty would have added another 20 months to his sentence, said Norton. "We were absolutely prepared to go to trial," said Norton. "But he pleaded guilty (to the second-degree assault charge) and we did not have to subject the victim to the trial process." The young woman was in a car with Gutierrez near the hospital when he attacked and then abandoned her. The two had a previous relationship and were estranged at the time of the attack, Norton said. The victim's strong support system helped prosecutors bring the case to "a good ending," Norton said. Family support makes it easier for a victim to cooperate with the justice system and prosecute abusers when she is not reliant upon her attacker for financial or emotional support, he said. "She has a terrific supportive family," said Norton. Family members also have helped the victim cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the attack, Norton said. "She still has an occasional headache," said Norton. "She's recovered well physically, as most victims do. But it takes time, emotionally, to deal with it." Shortly after the attack, Gutierrez was arrested and remained in custody on $2 million bail. He made his plea from the Jackson County Jail via video feed. He will spend three years under court supervision upon his release, said Norton. "At the sentencing, (Gutierrez) voiced regret and apologized to the victim," said Norton. Reach reporter Sanne Specht at 776-4497 or e-mail [email protected]. By sanne specht MailTribune.com By sanne specht Posted Oct. 26, 2007 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501