SpringfieldNewsSun.com

Springfield, Ohio — James Ferguson hung his head and trod slowly out of the courtroom after being sentenced to 65 years in prison without the possibility of parole Friday, May 9.

Ferguson was convicted last month on 25 counts of child endangering, permitting child abuse and felonious assault in the abuse of his five adopted children.

Addressing his adoptive father prior to sentencing, the oldest of Ferguson's children called his memories of living in that home "scenes of horror."

"You gave me bruises, scars, pain and tears," said the 17-year-old boy. "There is no way I deserved the abuse you handed me."

Ferguson and his wife, Vonda, were accused of using extreme forms of punishment on their children — burning them with irons, forcing them to eat feces, and hitting them with hammers and belts until they bled — between 2001 and 2004.

Two of Ferguson's adopted children and five of the jurors in the case were present for the sentencing.

"I wanted to see justice served," said Rose Miller, a juror.

Another juror said while emotions ran high among some of the witnesses, the jury based its decision on the evidence.

"We took our time and looked at each count," said Melody Laywell.

Defense attorney Kerry Donahue called his client a "broken man" following last month's conviction.

"He's suffered already, ... he's lost his job, his pension, he's lost everything," said Donahue.

The children were taken out of the Ferguson home in 2004 and the couple gave up custody of them in 2005.

The Fergusons had faced the same charges in Union County last year, but those charges were dismissed after prosecutors there conceded that many of the reported incidents took place in Clark County.

Donahue said his client will appeal last month's conviction.

Vonda Ferguson faces 33 charges of child endangering, permitting child abuse,

felonious assault and rape. She is scheduled to stand trial July 1.

Juror Debbie McCartney said she was impressed with the way the children testified in the trial.

"We're so proud of the kids, they did an awesome job," she said. "We just wish all the best for them."

Speaking before the court, Ferguson's oldest adopted child said the experience in the home gave him a drive to succeed and overcome.

"For me, giving up is way harder than trying."

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0360 or vlough@coxohio.com.

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