Gina Sanjines and District Attorney Neal Pinkston
A murder for hire victim said Friday she is devastated by Governor Bill Haslam granting clemency to the gunman.
Gina Sanjines, who was shot in the head three times, said, "I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone where left is right and wrong is right."
On his last day in office, the governor said he planned to let out Jeremy Ingram, who had pleaded guilty to attempted murder of Ms. Sanjines and the murder of Virgil Schrag, who was with her at her Mountain Shadows home.
The governor's office said Ingram would be let out on Jan. 17. The office said he was 18 at the time and that he will be subject to additional supervision conditions. The office said, "He has undergone a transformation during 25 years of incarceration, earning four higher education degrees and actively participating in rehabilitation and faith-based programs and earning the respect of numerous volunteers and prison officials."
Authorities said her estranged husband, Dr. Jorge Sanjines, hired Ingram to kill Ms. Sanjines. He was sentenced to life in prison plus 25 years.
District Attorney Neal Pinkston said he made a plea with the governor's counsel in a phone call on Thursday night shortly after getting the word. He said he was told, "The governor was expecting you to call."
The DA said the clemency was unprecedented in a murder for hire case and just after the state Parole Board turned down parole for Ingram.
Ms. Sanjines said she was extremely distraught at the possibility she could run into Ingram again. She said the shooting left her blind in one eye, right-sided and with blinding headaches.
She said Ingram waited for two hours in her home, then shot her twice in the head, knocking her down. She said he then walked over to her and shot her in the head a third time.
She was in Intensive Care for two weeks and still undergoes rehab.
Her children, who were ages five and six at the time, wrote victim impact statements.
Ms. Sanjines said, "He didn't know me. He took money to kill me."
She said her children "have done well, but this is such a huge setback. They are now so fearful for my life. But my biggest worry is for the citizens. A murderer is going to be let out."
Click here to read the victim impact letters from Ms. Sangines and her children.
Gina Sanjines is shown with prosecutor Crystle Carrion