The Santa Clara County Superior Court sentenced 22-year-old Palo Alto High School graduate Todd David Burpee to 43 years to life in state prison on Sept. 11.

The jury previously found Burpee guilty of two counts of assault with the intent of rape or sexual penetration, two counts of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, one count of kidnapping for the purpose of sexual assault and one count of sexual penetration by force on May 27.

Burpee assaulted a 17-year-old Gunn student outside her Arastradero Road apartment complex on Oct. 30, 2007. Burpee twisted the student’s neck and slammed her face into the sidewalk before throwing her into the back of his car. The student feigned unconsciousness throughout the ordeal to avoid antagonizing her assailant.

Burpee sexually assaulted her in the back of his car and then left, presuming her to be dead. The girl was able to escape and seek help after Burpee entered his girlfriend’s house in Sunnyvale.

Burpee will not have the option of parole until he is at least 60 years old.