Daniel Vesper III of Kalihi was sentenced by Circuit Judge Virginia Crandall to the mandatory prison term for first-degree attempted murder.

Vesper was convicted of running down police officer Jeffrey Omai on Dec. 2, 2004 at the parking lot of Honolulu Community College. Omai and six other officers were trying to arrest Vesper on suspicion of committing a robbery, criminal property damage and unauthorized control of a propelled vehicle.

Omai, 39, a six-year police veteran who returned to work in January, told the judge his injuries included multiple skull fractures and spinal column injuries. He said he wakes up each day in pain. He also has recurring dreams of trying to run away from the van, the officer said.

After the sentencing, Omai said he was satisfied with the sentence and holds no bitterness toward Vesper.

"I think in time once he gets the help he needs, he may come to realize what he did," Omai said.

Vesper did not testify during his trial last year and declined to make any statement in front of the judge this morning. His defense during his trial was that he wasn't trying to kill Omai and should be convicted of a lesser charge.

Vesper's lawyer Jeffrey Hawk said he plans to appeal the attempted murder conviction.

Under state law, the governor will consider whether the sentence should be commuted to life with parole after Vesper serves 20 years in prison. If it is commuted, the Hawai'i Paroling Authority will then determine at what point Vesper will be eligible for release on parole.