The man who plotted to kill a former district attorney has been sentenced. Our Sabina Kuriakose has more on the victim's emotional plea to the judge and the surprise sentencing.

TROY, N.Y. -- Convicted bank robber Chad Rubin appeared surprised as visiting Judge Jonathan Nichols sentenced him to eight to 16 years in prison for plotting to kill the people who put him behind bars for bank robbery back in 2004. Among them was former Rensselaer County D.A. Patricia DeAngelis.

"I know he's upset. This is a man who has a family. This is not the deranged, violent criminal everyone portrays him to be," said defense attorney Yorden Huban.

Rubin plead guilty to second degree charges of attempted solicitation and attempted conspiracy. He came up with the plan in prison, but was later turned in by an informant. The D.A. had agreed to a lesser sentence of five to 10 years, but the judge increased it.

"Five to 10 was good, eight to 16 is better," said Rensselaer County D.A. Richard McNally Jr.

The sentencing hearing included a victim's impact statement read by DeAngelis. She talked about how Rubin's plan to kidnap, drug, torture and kill her has changed her life.

"The need to feel safe is so important...I just don't want to feel afraid anymore," DeAngelis said.

DeAngelis threatened to kill Rubin if he came near her or her family, to which the defense objected.

"There's only one conclusion to draw. That the victim's impact statement had some bearing," said Huban.

"I think the judge made a good record and I think it's going to hold up," said McNally.

The defense plans to withdraw Rubin's guilty plea, blaming the judge's harsher sentencing on DeAngelis' statement in which she spoke extensively about details of the case.

"In my opinion, it was, I think, inflammatory and prejudicial to Chad Rubin," said Huban.

"It's always hard to be on the receiving end of criminal conduct. In this case, especially so," said McNally.

In court, Ruben said he took full responsibility for his actions. For her part, DeAngelis said she plans to move out of state, but will try to make sure he's never paroled.