Mollett gets 35 years in prison
BY RACHEL DOVE
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — The survivor of a violent attack confronted her attacker during his formal sentencing hearing Aug. 26 in Johnson Circuit Court.
Pamela Blevins of Tomahawk is a fighter but, as any survivor, bears mental and emotional scars from a brutal attack March 13, 2020. On that date, her ex-husband, 52-year-old Mardy Mollett of Tomahawk, nearly ended her life.
No stranger to local law enforcement, Mollett beat and terrorized Blevins, threatened to shoot her daughter and son-in-law and killed her dog after becoming enraged over a family disagreement. He also did substantial damage to her home, personal property and vehicle.
Following a three-day trial in Paintsville, Mollett was found guilty July 13 of first-degree burglary, second-degree assault, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree cruelty to animals. The jury recommended 35 years in prison.
Circuit Judge John David Preston agreed with the jury’s recommendation when he handed down the formal sentence.
During the sentencing hearing, Blevins gave an impact statement. She walked to the front of the courtroom, turned and faced those in attendance – and her attacker.
“First, I want to say thank you to the court for giving me the opportunity to speak here today,” Blevins began. “I have so many different feelings about the events that occurred on the evening of March 13, 2020. Although it’s now been over two years, I’m still angry, deeply hurt, and extremely disappointed as I have tried to understand why a 50-year-old-man would want to start using methamphetamine that he knew would change his life forever. Mardy not only destroyed our relationship, but he also cost himself his only brother because of his violent behavior and drug use.”
Blevins continued, “The way things ended is not the way they began…Mardy was not always like this. He was a good person. He loved, and he was loved. I would have bet everything I would ever own that I would not have seen him become a stranger that I didn’t even know, someone who would become an evil monster and try to end my life.”
Blevins showed her survivor side.
“I know that time changes things and lessens the pain that we suffer on this earth, and I am slowly but surely reclaiming my life, one day at a time,” she said. “I will not allow Mardy to destroy another minute of my future, and I’m determined to once again be the person I was before that fateful night. But I also have to realize that part of me will forever be changed, and that includes my ability to trust people, even those I love, because I saw firsthand how quickly someone can change.
“My wish is that Mardy will serve out his sentence and not be let out of prison because I fear for my safety if and when that day ever occurs.”
Since the trial, Blevins has received correspondence from Mollett and is taking steps to prevent those letters to her address. She feels the letters are simply a way for Mollett to continue his mental attacks and cruelty from behind bars.
“There’s been a DVO (domestic violence order) in place since the night of the attack, and that alone is supposed to be enough to prevent him from communicating with me,” said Blevins. “Now, since he’s been found guilty of the attack, I would think that should give me even more protection from his evil mind games. I have lived in fear for far too long, and I deserve to have peace of mind and not dread opening my mailbox. Enough is enough.”
See Related: Mollett gets 35 years for brutal attack on ex-wife