A violent rapist in Florida who assaulted, beat and left a teen girl for dead outside a public library nine years ago asked for a shorter sentence, but instead, the judge on Thursday sent him behind bars for the rest of his life.
However, a re-sentencing hearing doesn’t guarantee a lesser sentence. In Morris’ case, it meant more time in prison. Now, instead of 65 years, he is sentenced to life.
Morris will be up for a sentencing review in 2031.
In 2008, Kendrick Morris was 16 years old,  when he violent raped  an elderly woman and a high school senior. One of them, 18-year-old Queena Vuong, was beaten so badly that to this day she’s blind, paralyzed and needs 24/7 care.
Morris was convicted for the brutal rape of Vuong at the Bloomingdale Regional Public Library in Valrico. The assault was so vicious, he not only violated his victim, he smashed her skull leaving her blind and paralyzed for life.
Kendrick Morris was sentenced to 65 years in prison for the crime by judge Chet Tharpe, in 2011.

Queena’s sister Anna Donato wipes her tears in court during the re-sentncing

The victim’s sister Anna Donato being comforted after the judge re-sentences Kendrick Morris to a life time behind bars

25-year-old Morris was granted a re-sentencing hearing after a Supreme Court decision that determined lengthy sentences for juvenile offenders are unconstitutional, and that they should have the opportunity for parole.
However, a re-sentencing hearing doesn’t guarantee a lesser sentence. In Morris’ case, it meant more time in prison. Now, instead of 65 years, he is sentenced to life.
Morris will be up for a sentencing review in 2031.
Judge Tharpe, who also presided at his first trial in 2011, remarked on the heinous nature of the crime at re-sentencing: “These crimes were not youthful indiscretions,” said Judge Tharpe,  observing that since the attack, the teen victim, now 26, has not regained her ability to see, walk, speak or eat.
DNA also linked Morris to another rape that occurred 10 months earlier. In that case, a 62-year-old worker at a Clair-Mel day care was attacked as she opened the business.
“If ever there was a case that cried out for a life sentence, this is the case,” the judge said.
“These crimes were particularly atrocious and cruel,” said Judge Chet Tharpe.
Queena Vuong, the victim who then 16-year-old Morris smashed in her skull and raped, is now blinded and paralyzed. She can’t speak or even swallow on her own
The experience was no less painful for the victim’s family.
“She expresses with facial expressions and sounds, yelling out, crying,” said the victim’s sister, Anna Donato. “We forgive him and we have compassion for him but that does not mean we believe he should be out of prison.”