A man convicted of brutally attacking a 75-year-old woman is expected to be sentenced Thursday morning.
Emanuel Qosaj is accused of choking Linda Konior, 75, with a dog leash in broad daylight in her Palm Harbor neighborhood back in April of 2017.
Konior spoke exclusively with 8 On Your Side’s Chip Osowski Tuesday about the attack and sentencing hearing.
“I’m still trying to survive what I was put through and he left me with this,” Konior said.
Qosaj was 20 at the time of the violent encounter.
“I still see that fist coming at my face. Here I try to sleep and I have nightmares. I’m walking around during the day and it doesn’t go away,” Konior said.
The poor woman didn’t stand a chance and said she was walking her dog when she was approached by Qosaj and a woman. She said Qosaj came from behind, grabbed the leash and then strangled her.
Neighbors heard the screams and then called 911. One person managed to snap a photo.
“Even though the bruises, they went away quickly but not the emotional part of it and that’s what I’m working on now.”
A jury ruled that Qosaj was insane and found him not guilty on the attempted murder charge, but guilty of aggravated battery and several other charges.
Konior will be ready to say what’s on her mind in court Thursday.
“Like I said nobody deserves that. I mean I came that close to dying, that’s what the deputies told my family,” Konior said.
The sentencing hearing is set to begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Pinellas County Justice Center.
