CADIZ - As a man sits in jail and awaits his release, his wife appeared before the world as the recipient of the first full face transplant in the United States.
Connie Culp, 46, shared her story of survival during a press conference on Tuesday from the campus of Cleveland Clinic. She did explain she had been shot but didn't elaborate on the circumstances. What she did say was that she wanted others to look at her story as a lesson.
"Don't judge people who don't look the same as you do," she said. "Because you never know. One day it might be all taken away."
In December, a team of 11 surgeons replaced 80 percent of her face after nearly 30 prior surgeries to repair the damage. Doctors had previously used parts of her ribs to create cheekbones. They fashioned an upper jaw from a bone taken from her leg. Skin grafts were numerous. However, she still couldn't eat solid foods. She couldn't smell, She could not even breathe on her own.
Today she can eat solid foods. She can smell and breathe on her own. She can, as she proved Tuesday, face the world.
The December operation has been described as the largest and most complex face transplant to date. It included integrating different functional components such as nose, lower eyelids, blood vessels, nerves, skin, muscles, bones and teeth. Because of an infection early in her treatment, she has only limited vision in one eye.
Doctors have deemed the transplant a success and expect to complete further procedures to remove excess skin. Connie will need to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life.
However, many people continue to question the sentence imposed upon the man who changed her life forever in an attempted murder-suicide at the former OK Corral in Hopedale.
Thomas Culp, the husband of the victim, is currently serving a seven-year prison term at the Nobel Correction Center on charges of attempted aggravated murder and felonious assault.
After literally blowing his wife's face off, the man turned the gun on himself. Thomas's injuries were not nearly as serious or disfiguring as Connie's but he does wear an eye patch over his left eye.
During his trial in April 2005, Connie had asked the court for mercy for her husband actions and said she still loved him.
And although she made no comment on the man with whom she lived for more than 25 years during Tuesday's press conference she has indicated that she has forgiven him for his actions.
He is expected to be released from prison in October 2010 while his wife will learn to live with a new face and the new-found notoriety.
On Wednesday evening, Harrison County Prosecutor Shawn Hervey appeared, via satellite from Pittsburgh, Pa., on the O'Reilly Factor to discuss the shooting and trial of her husband.
The Fox News personality opened the segment by warning viewers of the graphic nature of the pictures of the victime that were shown. He advised of her devastating injuries and then went on to voice his surprise that Thomas Culp was sentenced to only seven years in prison.
"I'm disappointed because this woman's life is ruined and this guy gets seven years," O'Reilly said. "And I guess he could get out earlier on good behavior."
"Well, Bill, I'm not going to buffalo you. That's absolutely correct," Hervey replied. "If I told you I don't stay up sleepless at night wondering how that happened I would be lying to you."
He went on to explain that Thomas had entered a plea to attempted aggravated murder as well as felonious assault.
"We argued for the maximum sentence, however we got about half of what we believe was the maximum sentence," Hervey said.
The host of the show then began to discuss his thoughts for Common Pleas Judge Michael Nunner who heard the case.
"Tell us before we criticize Mr. Nunner, and I will because I think he is wrong," said O'Reilly. "The testimony on behalf of a lighter sentence actually came from the woman herself."
Hervey said he believed Connie was at a point in her life where she didn't want to believe that he committed the act.
"She was blind, so really I don't know how much of the effects of the act she was able to see," said Hervey.
"She knew her husband did it. There was no doubt that that happened. He shot himself in the face so she had to know," O'Reilly replied. "People are people. They do certain things we don't understand."
He went on to comment on the four previous DUI's on the record of Thomas Culp.
"Obviously a booze head," O'Reilly said. "The argument on the other side made by you and your office was 'Hey! You can't allow an American to blow the head off somebody else and he's out in seven years to continue whatever his life is.' That's insane."
Hervey said a case in Supreme Court that was interpreting Ohio law at the time may have lead to the error in length of sentencing.
"I believe he (Judge Nunner) thought he was giving the maximum sentence," he said. "Our office disagreed with his assertion and certainly we believed that he (Thomas Culp) deserved the fullest extent of the law."
O'Reilly immediately asked if Nunner was a liberal judge.
"Is this a 'soft on' judge?" O'Reilly asked. "Does he give soft sentencing routinely?"
"Well, it's a judge I appear before everyday, Bill," said Hervey.
"That's ok. I understand," was the host's reply. "We'll do our own research on that and will find out. Just to reiterateyou are very disturbed with the ruling. You believe that the man should have got the maximum 13 years. He'll be out in seven, could be less. In the meantime, his poor wifeher life as she knew it is pretty much over."
Hervey then provided his thoughts on domestic violence.
"It's the most horrendous domestic violence scene I've ever been a part of. I certainly would want to send a message to anyone out there that this can happen to you. If you are involved in a domestic violence situationget out."
"Get out," O'Reilly agreed. "Particularly if there is drinking and drugs involved in this kind of thingout!"
Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com
