May 29, 2009 11:30 pm US/Eastern
Texan Gets 45 Years For Knowingly Spreading HIV
FRISCO, Texas (CBS) ―
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Philippe Padieu, seen in this undated photos, was found guilty for knowingly infecting six women with HIV.
KTVT / KTXA
A Collin County man found guilty of intentionally infecting at least six people with HIV has been sentenced to 45 years in prison.
53-year-old Philippe Padieu was sentenced on six counts of intentionally infecting women with HIV.
The prosecution said Padieu is a "narcissist" who deserved the maximum sentence of life in prison, reports CBS station KTVT-TV in Dallas.
"Nobody loves him more than he does. What does that make him? A narcissist. A narcissist because it's all about him. It's always been all about him," said attorney Lisa King.
During closing arguments, Assistant District Attorney Lisa King told the jurors that Padieu could have "broken the chain" and informed his victims that he is HIV-positive. But instead, he "blamed everybody else." King said that Padieu is a danger to the community.
In his closing argument, defense attorney Benny House called Padieu a modern-day Casa Nova and said he is a "lover of women." House asked the jurors to sentence their client to 20 years in prison.
The jury sentenced Padieu to 45 years on five of the counts. He received a 25 year sentence for the remaining count. "The main reasoning for that, it was the longest-standing relationship and one of the issues you have with that is there's no way to prove date of infection," said Ethan Francis, jury foreman.
Following the sentencing verdict the victims were allowed to address Padieu in court.
"I'll never forget how cold you were when I was saying this disease is going to kill me and I was crying and begging for some explanation from you and all you could say was well everyone's going to die of something," said one of the women, who did not wish to be identified.
Tricia Reeves was one of the women infected with HIV by Padieu. She chose to reveal her identity and she spoke to the media on behalf of all the victims.
"Philippe Padieu knowingly, intentionally and recklessly infected us with HIV," she said. "Whether you did it on purpose or not, your obligation was to inform us and you did not. We can only assume that by his indifference he intended for us to die."
All of the women say they had some type of romantic relationship with Padieu. Most of them say they were in love with him and were shocked to learn he intentionally spread the virus.
"He was very charming. He was kind, in most instances and came across as someone you might want to spend the rest of your life with," said Reeves.
All of the sentences are to be served concurrently. Padieu will have to serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
"I don't have any remorse for you at all and I hope that some day I'll get a call and hear that you died in prison," said one of the victims.
Padieu will be eligible for parole in 22 and a half years. He'll be 76-years-old. His attorneys do plan to appeal.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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