Joseph Blue case - 10 1/4 years minimum for rape of "girlfriend"

An Oak Harbor man was sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of between 10 1/4 years and life after being convicted of raping his 30 year old ex-girlfriend Thursday, August 28. Joseph Blue's formal charges were 1st degree rape and 2nd degree assault by strangulation. The 30 year old victim,

In her lengthy statement, the victim described how the assault left her at a loss in the world. She described how she once loved and trusted him, until she came face-to-face with his “terrible side.”

“Mr. Blue succeeded in making me believe I didn’t deserve to live,” she said.
“I saw no mercy. ... All I saw was hate, anger and monstrous rage I didn’t know could exist in anyone,” she continued.

The 30-year-old victim testified at length during the trial about the frightening ordeal that occurred a year ago. Over the course of many hours, Blue beat her, bit her all over her body, gouged her eyes with his thumbs, raped her three times and strangled her several times, once causing her to lose consciousness.

In addition, two other women testified that Blue had raped and assaulted them in similar manners.

Island County Prosecutor Greg Banks asked for themaximum sentence because Blue did not shown remorse, stating, "He acted like an animal. He committed one of the most henious crimes it’s possible to commit.” An example of the lack of remorse occured when after the victim impact statement, he mockingly clapped.

Blue’s attorney, Jon Ostlund of Anacortes, spoke about how his client was an honest and productive man, and a responsible father, for most of his life. But then he started drinking.

“It’s clear that Mr. Blue has severe anger management and domestic violence problems when he’s drinking,” he said.

Blue didn’t testify during the trial, but he spoke at the sentencing. He apologized to the victim for “assaulting her and demeaning her,” but insisted that he didn’t rape or strangle her. He said he thought it would be a “no brainer” for the jury to acquit him.

“I am not done fighting this,” he pledged. He also said he’s found the Lord in jail and has become a better man.

Island County Judge Vickie Churchill not only denounced Blue before sentencing, but also denounced his family, blaming them for the "type of upbringing that gets you this way."

“It’s been said you are not a monster. I don’t know, but your actions lead me to believe that you are... You have no remorse, just a smirking attitude, even toward the court,” she said.

She also blasted family members except for a brother for not showing empathy when Blue's victim was on the stand.

Blue didn’t testify during the trial, but he spoke at the sentencing. He apologized to the victim for “assaulting her and demeaning her,” but insisted that he didn’t rape or strangle her. He said he thought it would be a “no brainer” for the jury to acquit him.

“I am not done fighting this,” he pledged. He also said he’s found the Lord in jail and has become a better man.

The judge obviously didn’t buy it. She said “it is a no-brainer” that Blue is guilty and she predicted the Court of Appeals will agree.

The judge said that her sentence was for public protection, not rehabilitation.

"This is one of the few cases I can say that the sentence may not make a difference in how he lives, but at least it will keep him off the streets.”