CROWN POINT | Curtis Sample Jr. was sentenced Wednesday to 95 years in prison for the "vicious and horrific" stabbing of a 56-year-old woman in 2006.

The Gary man was convicted in Lake Criminal Court in September of attempted murder, two counts of confinement and two counts of battery relating to the Jan. 9, 2006, incident. He also was found to be a habitual offender.

Sample made no apologizes to the victim during his sentencing Wednesday in Crown Point. Instead, he spoke to the judge about refusing to be average, taking responsibility and stretching higher for his goals.

The 56-year-old victim was sleeping alone in her daughter's apartment Jan. 9, 2006, in Gary, when Sample used a key to open the door, prosecutors said. The woman insisted he give her the key and leave.

As Sample walked away, he fumbled in his pocket, turned around and hit her in the mouth, prosecutors said. The woman tried to run away, but Sample stabbed her and tried to slice her throat.

The woman grabbed the blade and broke it, prosecutors said. Sample ran away, and the woman ran naked out of the apartment trying to find help. Police arrived just as Sample was returning.

Sample has a separate murder case pending in Lake Criminal Court.