Massachusetts art professor sentenced for attacking colleague in 'four-hour torture session'

GREENFIELD, Mass. (TCD) -- An art professor from Mount Holyoke College was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison for attacking one of her colleagues in what was described as a "four-hour torture session."

According to a statement by Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan, 50-year-old Rie Hachiyanagi pleaded guilty on Oct. 15 to nine charges relating to a December 2019 incident at Lauret Savoy’s residence. Boston.com reports Hachiyanagi ran the art department and Savoy was a professor of geology and environmental studies.

The District Attorney’s Office announced the charges are for three counts of armed assault with intent to murder a person over 60, three counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a person over 60, home invasion, mayhem, and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony.

Hachiyanagi initially pleaded not guilty.

The District Attorney’s statement says on the night of the attack, Hachiyanagi went to Savoy’s house because she was "in need of emotional support over a breakup." When Hachiyanagi entered the home, she reportedly attacked Savoy by "bludgeoning her with a rock, a fire poker and pruning shears, all the while taunting her in a four-hour torture session."

According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Hachiyanagi reportedly told Savoy she “loved her for many years.”

The District Attorney’s statement says Savoy "managed to convince Hachiyanagi to summon help" after the attack.

Savoy wrote a statement about the attack, saying she "experienced literal torture of body and of mind, not knowing if I would survive the next minute."

Savoy added, "The emotional, physical, financial, and professional impacts of this crime have been huge, and they continue. Now the defendant’s violation of me is becoming part of a public persona that I did not choose. She has invaded my privacy, my career, my life."

According to the Daily Hampshire Gazette, Savoy suffered stab wounds, a facial fracture, and broken bones.

At the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Judge Francis Flannery said, "I still don’t see an adequate explanation for what happened. This is one of the most horrific set of facts I’ve heard and I’m a superior court judge."

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