A woman and her husband who were attacked by a man they did not know and who have over $18,000 in unpaid medical bills due to it said she is willing to forgive.
Joy James afterward shook hands with Seth Emery, 22, outside of the courtroom.
The incident happened May 5, 2011, outside the couple's home in Concord Highlands.
Michael James said he heard a commotion up the hill and went outside to check on it. He said there was a car horn continually being sounded. He said there was a vehicle near his home smoking its tires.
He said he had words with Emery, the driver, then began to walk away. He said he turned to see Emery charging him. He said Emery tackled him and then began beating him in the head.
He suffered severe injuries, including a broken jaw and damage to his eye socket.
Ms. James said she tried to get Emery away from her husband, then he came toward her. She said she was holding a mag light and she hit him in the head with it. She said he then pushed her down.
She said before Emery left he did several doughnuts in their yard, leaving damage to the yard that can still be seen.
Emery said he has "a lot of remorse" about the incident and said it was brought on by heavy drinking. He said he has been attending AA meetings.
He said he has come to admit that he is an alcoholic.
He said he was angry with a neighbor of the Mays and was trying to get them to come outside by blowing the horn. He said he had been drinking beer, heavy liquors and tequila prior to the assault on the couple.
He has been charged with prior assaults, including pushing a girlfriend down some steps.
Judge Don Poole sentenced Emery to active time of 11 months and 29 days in the workhouse and directed that he continue with AA and anger management classes.
The May couple has applied for payment from a state Victim Compensation Fund on the more than $18,000 in out-of-pocket medical expenses. If that does not come through, it is expected that Emery will be asked to pay it.