A man who prosecutors say attacked his mother, and then tried to kill a Ventura County Sheriff’s Deputy who was responding to the emergency call has been sentenced to 23 years, to life in prison.
John Atkinson was convicted of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and five other charges in connection with the December, 2010 incident in the Ojai Valley.
The deputy escaped without serious injuries.
Atkinson’s attorney had sought a lesser sentence, noting that the 34 year old man had a history of mental illness.
