Whitfield Gets 17 Years

Judge Michael Sovis sentenced Shaquen Whitfield to 17 years in prison for his role in a home invasion that left a Burnsville man riven with 19 stab wounds.

 At the sentencing on Thursday morning, victim Paul Traub went back to the moment of the attack that occurred at dawn on May 11, 2008. That day, Whitfield and accomplice Irvin Cook happened upon Traub’s townhome. The two entered through a garage door that had been left open.

 “With that began an episode of my life that I would not wish on my worst enemy,” Traub told the court. “I had never met them before. They had no reason to do me harm. I still can’t comprehend how someone could have so much hatred within them.”

 Accounts of that fateful 20 minutes vary, but the basic story is clear: Two attackers each took a turn stabbing Traub in the back, face and head, then doused him with flammable liquid and set eight fires inside his home. When Traub struggled to his feet, the intruders ordered him back down.

 Cook was tried and convicted to 30 years in the spring of 2010. Based on Whitfield’s interrogation police initially arrested a third suspect, Lance Wilkins, but the case against Wilkins was dropped after it was discovered that he had not been at the scene.

 Though Whitfield testified that he only served as lookout in the garage, Traub placed the knife squarely in his hands.

 “His callousness to his fellow man is disturbing,” Traub said. “When I confronted him he could have left, but instead he shouted a warning to his partner. When his partner told him to be a man and finish me he could have refused, but instead he stabbed me 17 times. They could have left, thinking I was dead. Instead they set fire to the house.”

 Miraculously, Traub survived. The knife blade missed Traub’s vital organs and he was able to run through the flames to get help.

 However, the attack left Traub with lasting scars, tangible and otherwise. His back is still scored with marks. The tip of the knife is still embedded in his skull. He can sometimes feel it while he is chewing, he told the court. A slash to his face came perilously close to the nerve that makes it possible to smile. While it was not severed, for months he was not physically able to express joy. His smile will probably never be the same again, Traub said.

 The fires destroyed the upper level of his home and ruined every belonging he had — all of his furniture, clothing and family photos that can never be replaced. But psychological strain was one of the heaviest burdens to bear. While the two men were still at large, Traub lived in constant fear that the two men would return to finish what they started.

 Three years later, Traub said he has not let fear and anger dominate his life. He has forgiven both Whitfield and Cook. Nevertheless, he sleeps with his glasses on, the doors locked and the patio lights ablaze.

 In closing, Traub recalled the night after the attack, when he was lying in a hospital bed.

 “I prayed that something would happen to make a change in them so that they would not waste their young lives on crime or hurt others,” Traub said. “With that said, there are consequences. I feel Mr. Whitfield deserves whatever the court prescribes.”

 The state asked the judge to consider a penalty that 22-year-old Whitfield will pay until he is well into middle age: 17 years of prison.

 “This is the most horrific case I’ve seen that has not resulted in a death,” said Assistant Dakota County Attorney Scott Hersey.

 Hersey said the victim had been treated with “particular cruelty.” Worse yet, the vicious crime could easily have become a major tragedy, he said. Traub could have died. If he had, three other families in his complex would have been in danger of dying by fire while they slept. The attackers also turned on the burners of the gas stove in Traub’s townhouse, a move that could have further endangered both Traub’s neighbors and the rescue team.

 Hersey added that Whitfield has a lengthy history of violent crime that predates the 2008 attack. Whitfield accrued an extensive record as a juvenile, Hersey said, and has been convicted of assault and aggravated robbery as an adult.

 He also noted that the results of a court-ordered psychological evaluation of Whitfield were a cause for concern.

 “Frankly, that examiner put forth a worrisome prognosis at best,” Hersey said. “We hope that Mr. Whitfield can be enrolled in some cognitive programs in prison and that he will begin to mature and consider his future.”

 For the defense, Attorney Dannia Edwards told the court that her client was remorseful from the beginning, a feeling that deepened after he learned of the extent of Traub’s injuries.

 She noted that only one piece of evidence tied Whitfield to the crime — his own blood, which was found on the doorknob of the entrance leading into the townhome. Whitfield could have challenged the evidence with a jury trial, he chose to cooperate with the state in the case against Cook, Edwards said, even though he could face retribution in prison.

 “That was the first step in trying to turn his life around. He wanted to take ownership of his involvement in this crime,” Edwards told the court. “I believe he is on his way, though that does not negate what Mr. Traub has gone through.”

 Whitfield did not make a statement to the court, but wept as Sovis read his sentence: He will pay restitution to Traub and spend 204 months in prison. After about 11 years he will be eligible for supervised release.

 Whitfield will also get credit for time already served. The Prior lake man has been incarcerated since he was arrested for the attack three years ago.

 Sovis told Whitfield to count his blessings.

 “But for the intervention of a higher power, Mr. Traub could have died and you would have been sentenced to life in prison,” Sovis said. “Good luck, Mr. Whitfield.”