A standing-room-only courtroom listened as Michael A. Cornelius was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison for attacking an Ohio State student.

Judge Deborah P. O’Neill said she did not believe Cornelius has any remorse for the attack and recommended he receive treatment from an intensive prison program for his mental and emotional condition.

Cornelius, a former fire captain with the Madiera/Indian Hill Fire Department, forced his way into Jackie Knific’s apartment on West Norwich Avenue and held her at knife point on May 8, 2003. Knific’s roommate came home to find the two struggling and called the police.

Cornelius, who was in Columbus for the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association seminar at the Blackwell Inn, was arrested at the scene. Knific suffered minor cuts and scratches.

The former firefighter, who has spent the past 285 days in jail, was charged with aggravated burglary and abduction. Combined, the two charges hold a maximum sentence of 15 years.

The defense blamed Cornelius’ actions on anti-psychotic medication and alcohol abuse.

The day of the attack, Cornelius was on medication and had been drinking heavily. He has been suffering from mental and emotional conditions since 1988, said Tom Beal, defense attorney.

Beal explained to the court that Cornelius had spent part of the evening drinking alcohol at the Varsity Club. He began having auditory hallucinations about suicide and left the bar alone.

The defense claimed that when the defendent arrived at the off-campus apartment, he did not look into any windows and had picked the residence at random. Beal said Cornelius entered with the intention of harming himself. Cornelius took a knife from the kitchen and encountered Knific in her bedroom. Cornelius claims during the struggle, he regained full conciousness and awareness.

Beal highlighted that Cornelius has no prior criminal record and served his community as a firefighter.

“Look at this whole life – not the 15 minutes of indiscretion,” Beal said.

Cornelius also addressed the court, recanting his statement to police the night of May 8 and apologized to the victim, his family and the Ohio Fire Chief’s Association.

“I have the utmost remorse for my actions,” Cornelius said.

Prosecutor Christian Domis disputed the defendent’s remorse.

“Everyone is remorseful when they’re being sentenced,” he said.

The prosecution’s entire mitigation consisted of reading a letter from Knific and a letter from her parents explaining the impact of the attack.

“The images linger with me . . . at only 22 years old, my rose colored glasses are off,” Knific wrote.

Knific also wrote to the court, saying she was so traumatized by the incident she did not attend her graduation ceremony at OSU.

Her parents, Lance and Mary Ann Knific, asked the court to give Cornelius prison time in their letter.

They told the court Knific has suffered not only physical, but emotional trauma.

“She has reoccuring nightmares and has to have the door open and the light on when she goes to bed,” the parents said.