By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – One of the victims of an attempted murder in Saybrook almost two years ago described what he said was a “nightmarish bloodbath.” The man who pleaded guilty to the crime was sentenced Thursday to 20 years in prison.

Arthur Corry, 49, of Gibson City tearfully apologized to his ex-wife, Sheila Corry, her friend Peter Maurer, and to Corry’s son, who’s now 13.

“I deserve to be punished,” he said.

Corry will serve at least 85 percent of his sentence for using a machete knife to stab Maurer and Sheila Corry at Maurer’s Saybrook home in September 2016. Prosecutors asked Judge Scott Drazewski to impose the maximum 30 year. Drazewski said he took into account, Corry’s age, his otherwise law abiding life, and potential for rehabilitation.

Domestic violence experts believe the most dangerous time for victims is when they leave abusive relationships, and that’s what happened here.

Sheila Corry obtained a protection order against her husband earlier that summer after she said he tried killing himself in front of their son.

Corry was enraged when he found out his wife and Maurer were together. He repeatedly stabbed Maurer and also cut his wife’s throat. According to Maurer, Corry was kicking Sheila as if she were a “defenseless animal.”

“I will never forget seeing the rage, the hatred, the pure evil, and the satisfaction he got out of stabbing me,” said Maurer in the victim impact statement he presented to the judge..

Maurer spent eight days in the hospital, and Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Koll said it’s a “medical miracle” Maurer survived.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]