As the case against Aaron Schoenrock for torturing and raping a woman has proceeded through the justice system his codefendant, Jolynn Hirsch, has portrayed herself as a fellow victim.
Schoenrock, Hirsch told the court, had beaten, abused and tortured her in much the same way he did to a woman in May 2023. At his jury trial she admitted to assisting him by bringing him a gun and chainsaw used to threaten the victim, but said she only did as Schoenrock asked because she lived in fear of him.
At Hirsch's sentencing hearing Wednesday for assault or bodily harm less than murder, however, the victim of the torture made it clear she believed Hirsch was far from an unwilling participant
The victim told Circuit Court Judge Daniel Damman about how Hirsch would beat her whenever she asked for help during the eight hours Schoenrock held her captive. She told the court she overheard Hirsch recommend to Schoenrock it might be better to just kill her.
When the victim made an attempt to escape the house where she was held captive, it was Hirsch who alerted Schoenrock, who caught her and dragged her back inside. She said she believed she could have gotten away or reached someone to help if Hirsch had not warned Schoenrock.
"One of the mistakes I made that night was appealing to your humanity, because you have none," the victim said.
Both the victim and St. Clair County Senior Assistant Prosecutor Joshua Sparling argued Hirsch took too active a role in her torment to deserve less than a prison sentence. In the end, however, Damman chose to sentence Hirsch to three years of probation and 365 days in jail, with credit for 350 days already served.
The victim and several of those present to support her could be seen leaving the courtroom as Damman read his sentence, expressing their disapproval of his judgment.
Damman cited the abuse Hirsch had been through, the control Schoenrock had over her and Hirsch's lack of prior criminal history.
"Society doesn't need to be protected from Ms. Hirsch," Damman said. He later added, "I cannot find that, for this defendant, prison is appropriate."
Defense Attorney Lisa Dwyer said Schoenrock had "a ridiculous degree of control" over her client when they lived together, saying Hirsch needed counseling, not prison,
"He did everything to Ms. Hirsch that he did to (the victim), and he did it for four years," Dwyer said.
Sparling said he had mixed feelings about what was an appropriate sentence, acknowledging that Hirsch had also been abused by Schoenrock, and that she had agreed to testify against him.
Sparling added, however, that Hirsch had several opportunities to call 911 and report Schoenrock, but never did. Even after Schoenrock was arrested after stabbing a man, Hirsch attempted to help him by cleaning up the house to conceal evidence.
The victim told the court of the consequences she lived with after being tortured, saying she now has to see multiple doctors and psychologists for her physical and mental injuries. She described being unable to sleep and having blackouts, after which she would no idea where she was or how she came to be there.
"I wish you no kind of kindness nor comfort for the rest of your days," the victim told Hirsch.
In addition to jail and probation, Hirsch will be required to wear a GPS monitor until her probation officer believes it can be removed.
Schoenrock, who was found guilty by a jury after a trial, is scheduled to be sentenced June 27 for 11 felonies, including torture, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and assault with intent to murder.
Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.
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