Maryland Man Sentenced To Prison For Attacking Ex-Girlfriend With Hammer

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - Thomas Smith has been convicted of assault seven times. Five of the seven convictions were domestic violence. His most recent attack may be his last attack.

Nakia Slade was walking down the stairs of her apartment building heading to work when Smith snuck up behind her, grabbed her and started beating her over the head with a hammer.

“It happened so fast,” said Slade. “I don't think I realized what was going on.”

But she did realize that the man with the hammer was her ex-boyfriend Thomas Smith.

“The last words I stated were, ‘I love you but we cannot be together any more’,” said Slade.

The attack happened one day later. In those terrifying moments, she wondered if she would survive.

“I did for a split second [think] 'Am I going make it? Am I going to die?’ Because no one came to my aid initially,” said Slade.

Among those who eventually came to her rescue as she lay on the cement in a pool of blood was her five-year-old daughter.

“There are no words to describe the pain that I saw on her face,” Slade said.

Slade told a judge Friday her daughter still has nightmares and begs "Mommy, can you help me get these bad things out of my head?"

It was not the first act of violence Slade had tried to hide from her children. The terrifying relationship had lasted seven years.

“This is the father of my children. This is the man that I did want to marry,” said Slade.

Before the sentencing on Friday, Smith left for a threatening phone message for Slade.

“I'm going keep playing games with you until you get me locked up,” said Smith on the phone message.

Just before announcing the sentence, Judge Nicolas Rattal told Smith, "Quite frankly, you scare me." Then, the judge sentenced Smith to life in prison, with all but 40 years suspended.

“The defendant in this case was sentenced to 40 years in jail and he deserves every year of it,” said Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn Ivey.

Slade says wants other women to see what she saw after the sentencing on Friday.

“I do believe there that is hope,” said Slade. “I do want to say to the other women, just step out on faith. Go out there and try and get the help that you need because it could be you on the news. You could be the next victim. You could be the person six feet under.

Smith had a chance to speak in court Friday. When the judge asked him if he had anything to say, he responded "No, sir.”

Smith's public defender says he is in "a very sad and unproductive cycle" of alcohol, depression and violence.