Son Speaks Against Stepmom's Reduced Sentence

LEBANON, Tenn. -- The Lebanon victim who was nearly starved to death by his stepmother talked on Friday about her reduced sentence.

Video: Convicted Child Abuser Has Sentence Lessened

Christie Osborne was sent to prison for her role in mistreating and starving her 15-year-old son, Joshua, in 2004.

Osborne was sentenced to six years in prison for the incident, but this week the Tennessee Court of Appeals cut that sentence in half.

The court said Osborne's sentencing "did not take into consideration her remorse or her acknowledgement of wrongdoing."

Joshua's aunt sees the situation it differently

"Because of loophole in the sentencing guidelines, the appellate court has decided that three and a half years is a sufficient sentence for the woman who caused him this torment (and) near death. Joshua suffers to this day by the abuse he suffered at her hands," she said.

However, the public should not expect Osborne to be released from prison yet because of a 60-day appeal process to the court's decision.

Josh Osborne was flanked by his family on Friday morning as he held a news conference to say he does not want his stepmother released from prison because he feels she is still dangerous.

Channel 4 talked to the man who tried the original case, district attorney general Tommy Thompson, and said that he is recommending the reduced sentence be appealed.

During the trial, Thompson's office had asked for a 15- to 25-year sentence. Instead, Osborne received the seven-year sentence, which has now been cut in half.

Thompson told Channel 4 that it's a travesty and that Christie Osborne's husband, who he considers less culpable, will be serving his full seven-year sentence. The couple was tried together.

Jason Lawson, who helped prosecuted the case, would not speak on camera but told Channel 4 by phone that he was disappointed with the decision.

He said he reviewed the opinion and understands the (judge's) conclusion of the sentencing statue in affect at the time was unconstitutional, but the result he said seems unjust.

Because of a pre-trial jail credit and the 24 months she has already served, Christie Osborne could be released as early as the end of this month.