Amanda Watkins showed no emotion Thursday when she learned she would spend the next 10 years in prison for the 2009 rape and sodomy of a 15-year-old boy.

The former Sheffield Junior High School teacher stood in silence when Colbert County Circuit Court Judge Jackie Hatcher delivered the verdict. Some of Watkins' family members sobbed quietly in the courtroom after the verdict was read.

Watkins, 39, was convicted of second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy Nov. 3.

Hatcher told Watkins she will serve a 20-year split sentence that includes five years for each offense, to serve consecutively. Watkins had faced 2-20 years in prison for each count.

During the sentencing hearing, Watkins' defense attorney, Ralph Holt, said his client has suffered repercussions from her actions. Holt said she is a first-time offender with psychological issues, lost her job and teaching certificate, and will have to register as a sex offender.

"She's a great candidate to be placed on probation," Holt said.

Angela Hulsey, an assistant Colbert district attorney, countered that a Colbert jury found her criminally culpable for her actions and determined she understood those actions.

"There has been a great deal of pain and anguish suffered by the victim, as well," Hulsey said.

The victim and his mother sat in silence behind the prosecutors' table, while Watkins sat across from them at the defense table.

Watkins was accused of having sex with the teen in the back seat of her car Dec. 19, 2009. She was charged with second-degree rape and second-degree sodomy. She was fired from her job in January 2010 and did not appeal the firing.

Watkins was arrested after Muscle Shoals police discovered her and the teen while police were responding to a report of a suspicious vehicle parked at Covenant Christian School.

During the trial, Muscle Shoals police Capt. Lanny Coan testified that Watkins admitted having sex with the teen.

Under Alabama law, children younger than 16 cannot give consent to engage in sexual acts.

Holt did not comment on the verdict after the hearing, but said he and his client would discuss whether to appeal the November verdict.

Hulsey said she was not surprised by Hatcher's sentence.

"It's the type of sentence that sends a message, and that's the type we expected," she said.

Colbert District Attorney Bryce Graham said he believes the victim's family is satisfied with the sentence.

"We know Judge Hatcher put a lot of time and effort into this decision, and we feel she exercised her judicial discretion into giving as fair a decision as possible," Graham said.

Two Birmingham psychiatrists, three of Watkins' family members and a member of her church spoke on her behalf during the hearing.

Birmingham psychiatrist Dr. Andrea Stoves testified that Watkins has a weekly session with her and has shown progress. Stoves said she believes incarceration could hamper that.

Dr. Jacqueline M. Feldman, a psychiatrist at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, said she fears Watkins would not receive regular medication in prison, which could cause her to digress.

Watkins' mother, LaVon Dubois, testified that she prays for all families involved in the case, and knows from the tests Watkins has gone through that her daughter has a serious illness.

"I ask leniency for Amanda so she can get the treatment she needs," Dubois told Hatcher. "My daughter is not a bad person, but she is a sick person."

Bernie Delinski can be reached at 256-740-5739 or bernie.delinski@TimesDaily.com.