Detroit woman sentenced for torture after trying to pour bleach down throat of man in wheelchair

DETROIT (FOX 2) - A Detroit woman who was arrested after a violent assault on a man in a wheelchair has been sentenced to at least five years in prison after pleading guilty to torture charges.

Brittany Walker, 35, was sentenced in Judge Kelly Ramsey's court on Wednesday to the torture charge after authorities said she and another man assaulted a 44-year-old and tried to pour bleach down his throat. 

She was charged with multiple crimes but ultimately pleaded guilty to torture. 

Court was called into session around noon as Walker entered the courtroom with her attorney. The prosecution opened the hearing, reading a statement from the victim, who said that he had suffered severe long-term effects including vision loss, brain trauma, and memory loss.

What they're saying:

He said Walker was ‘like a sister’ and asked for leniency.

"To Brittany, right is right. Wrong is wrong. She has an alcohol and drug addiction and getting away from drugs would help her. She has always been there for me like a little sister until her best friend started her on drugs and that is the only time I saw her like that. I don't know how the court will decide, but I do ask for leniency because what she needs help," the statement read.

Before Ramsey sentenced Walker, the prosecution asked for some kind of psychological evaluation

"The level of carelessness that was demonstrated shows that the defendant may benefit from participation in a psychological evaluation, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy program. And the people would request that the court, would consider implementation of those as well into the sentence," the prosecution said.

Walker's attorney agreed and said it could impact future hearings for Walker. He said she admitted to her part in what happened to the victim.

"I would agree that Miss Walker would probably benefit from psychological therapy. I will say that this case didn't happen in a vacuum. I think that there's things that led to this," he said. "She did, in fact, plead guilty. And a pleading guilty to a charge, as far as I know, is taking responsibility for what happened."

During Thursday's sentencing, Walker did not say anything when prompted by the judge.

"I don't have anything to say," Walker said.

Judge Ramsey addressed Walker herself, saying that pleading guilty is just the first step.

"To improve, Miss Walker, it starts with honesty. Pleading guilty is a demonstration of that honesty," she said. 

Prior to this arrest and sentencing, Walker did not have any felony charges or convictions. However, during the sentencing, it was revealed that she had multiple warrants for her arrest in other states and Ramsey wondered what could have happened had Walker addressed the issues in those other states.

"It certainly is representative of your disrespect for the court, your disrespect to authority. So while though this looks on paper as to be your first felony conviction, I don't know what would have resulted. Had you had the decency of showing up in other courts and answering (those charges," Ramsey said.

Referring to what happened to the victim as ‘unconscionable’, she honored the victim's request that Walker be required to complete drug and alcohol evaluation and treatment while in prison, then encouraged Walker to seek out education and improve her life while in prison.

"Education or trade skills that are offered to you within the prison system should be welcomed into your life, Miss Bryant. I'm going to recommend that she be referred for GED and or job skills, as well as the psychological evaluation that was recommended by all of the parties in front,," she said. "Because, quite frankly, Miss Walker. The apology that Mr. Bryant deserves is for permanent change in your behavior. The greatest apology you can give that gentleman or society is to walk out of prison and be the woman that you have the capacity to be."

Ramsey then honored the agreement and sentenced Walker to five years in prison and ordered her to pay restitution. A no-contact order with the victim was also put in place.

The backstory:

Police said in April that Walker and 62-year-old Samuel Payton, both of Detroit, got into an argument with the victim at an apartment on Conant Street on the afternoon of Jan. 29. 

The argument escalated into an assault and authorities said Walker and Payton tried pouring bleach down the victim's throat.

The man, who was in a wheelchair at the time, was hospitalized and treated for a brain bleed and a broken eye socket.

Walker was originally charged with torture, first-degree vulnerable adult abuse, assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault. However most of those charges were dismissed or dropped and she ultimately pleaded guilty to torture.

Brittany Walker pleaded guilty to torture charges and will spend at least five years in prison for a violent assault on a 44-year-old man in a wheelchair.

As part of the plea deal, she will be sentenced to between 5 and 30 years in prison, plus must pay restitution to the victim.

Payton was charged with torture and assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder. 

According to court records, Payton is scheduled to go to trial next month.