Hagelin to serve 45 years for rape, abduction

By Amanda Stewart

Published: May 22, 2008

As long as he is free, David Allen Hagelin will be a danger to women, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kristina Robinson told a judge in Prince William Circuit Court Thursday.

“He is a risk to every female that he comes in contact with,” Robinson said.

Hagelin, 45, of Woodbridge, pleaded guilty in March to charges of rape, malicious wounding, forcible sodomy, object penetration and abduction for attacking and raping a female
acquaintance at a house in the 8300 block of Maplewood Drive outside of Manassas Park in August.

Thursday Prince William Circuit Court Judge William D. Hamblen sentenced Hagelin to serve 45 years in prison, with another 55 years suspended.

During the sentencing hearing, Robinson asked the judge to exceed sentencing guidelines and sentence Hagelin to life in prison.

“This is a case that shows such extreme viciousness that I’m going to ask you to exceed the high end of the guidelines,” she said.

After raping the victim, Hagelin tackled her when she escaped the house, causing severe damage to the left side of her body, Robinson said.

Robinson also asked the judge to consider Hagelin’s actions after being arrested.

While he was in the Prince William-Manassas Regional jail in November, awaiting trial, Hagelin assaulted his former attorney, Jennifer Zary. A jury found Hagelin guilty in April of assault and battery for that attack and he was sentenced to a year in prison and fined $2,500.

Defense attorney Robert A. Harris said his client was not a danger to all women.

“He has attacked two women in 45 years. I don’t think that supports [Robinson’s] claim that every woman is at risk,” Harris argued.

He said that Hagelin suffered from mental health problems and alcoholism that contributed to his actions in both attacks.

In a written statement he read in court, Hagelin said that he was suffering from mental health problems at the time and has since improved with the help of medication.

“Judge Hamblen, I ask for your help because I’ve hit rock bottom in my life,” Hagelin said. “I am very much sorry for what I have done. I’ve taken a good look at myself and I don’t like
what I see.”

He said he has gotten help for his mental health and anger management problems.

“I don’t yell and scream at people like I used to,” Hagelin said.

Hamblen said he agreed with prosecutors that Hagelin is a danger to society now.

“You will be in your 80s when you are released from prison, if you are,” Hamblen told Hagelin after reading his sentence. “I don’t think you can be much of a threat then, but you certainly are now.”

Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.