The Latest: After US sentence, Sharper goes to state court

NEW ORLEANS – The Latest on the sentencing in Louisiana of former NFL star Darren Sharper in a drug and rape case (all times local):

10:20 a.m.

A Louisiana judge has formally imposed a 20-year prison sentence on former NFL star Darren Sharper, who last week was sentenced by a federal judge to 18 years and four months in a drug and rape case with victims in four states.

Defence attorney Billy Gibbens said that the two sentences are essentially the same, when credit for time served and other factors are considered.

Thursday’s second sentencing hearing was again punctuated by tearful testimony from victims. One who said she forgave Sharper, despite suffering through depression because of his assault.

Sharper again apologized to his victims and their families and continued to ask for forgiveness, at one point telling the judge: “I am not a monster.” The sentence followed a plea deal that saw him enter guilty or no-contest pleas in multiple jurisdictions.

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9 a.m.

A week after he was sentenced to more than 18 years in prison in federal court, disgraced ex-football star Darren Sharper is set for formal sentencing in state court to charges that he drugged and raped multiple women.

Thursday’s sentencing for the former NFL player is set for Judge Karen Herman’s courtroom in New Orleans. He’s pleaded guilty or no-contest in state and federal courts in Louisiana, and in state courts in Arizona, Nevada and California. A judge has said the case may involve as many as 16 victims.

The pleas were part of a multi-jurisdiction deal that once was expected to net him only nine years in prison. He elected to stick to the deal even after U.S. District Judge Jane Triche Milazzo rejected the light sentence.