Man who shot ex-girlfriend sentenced to 25 years

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Jessica Coleman has beaten the odds. She wasn't expected survive her attack, but she did. Now, six months later, she's coming face to face with her attacker.

"I'm still living in fear. I still have nightmares and live in fear of having a gun pointed to my face," Jessica told a judge during the sentencing of Patrick Mejias. 

He was just convicted of aggravated battery and is no stranger to Jessica.  The two were once close and became romantically involved, but later Jessica started dating a new man. That did not sit well with the defendant.

Prosecutors say, in October of last year, blinded by jealousy and anger, Mejias showed up
 to Coleman's home. There was a knock at the door and, when Jessica opened it, Patrick Mejias came in shooting.

Jessica's boyfriend, Chris Moses, was staying with her. He called 911.

"I went out there and she was laying there. Yeah it was kinda crazy," said Moses.

Jessica was shot twice in the head but survived.

At his sentencing, Jessica wanted the defendant locked up for life.

"He was not charged with attempted murder. He shot me, ran, and left me lying there for dead," said Coleman. 

In court Patrick Mejias offered no apology, just a denial.

"It's not within my character. I don't batter women. I don't do any of that," said Mejias.

Hillsborough Judge Samantha Ward sent him away for 25 years, which is not exactly what Jessica wanted.

"I'm just grateful that I'm still here, even though he didn't get the time I wanted him to get. He's still going to prison. He's not going to be in the streets to terrorize anybody else," said Coleman.

 Coleman says since the shooting her life has been turned upside down.

Her medical bills are mounting and so far, she says she hasn't received any help from the Hillsborough State Attorneys Office Victim's Assistance Program.