Shannon O'Connor, a Los Gatos mother convicted for hosting drunken sex parties involving teenagers, is expected to address the court for the first time before learning her sentence Thursday.
A Los Gatos mother convicted on 16 felonies and dozens more misdemeanors tied to drunken sex parties involving teenagers is set to learn her sentence Thursday.
It's the third day of the sentencing hearings for Shannon O'Connor in Santa Clara County, following days of emotional testimony from victims in the case. A judge will issue a final ruling after hearing multiple victim impact statements earlier this week. O'Connor is also expected to address the court - the first time she would speak during proceedings in the case.
Victim statements heard in sentencing hearings for Los Gatos mom convicted for teen sex parties Eight victim impact statements were read Wednesday, following several others delivered earlier. Three additional statements are expected to be presented before sentencing Thursday. The young women and their families have called for the maximum sentence after O'Connor's felony convictions, citing what they described as a profound and lasting impact on their lives.
Prosecutors say O'Connor hosted parties for her teenage son, in which she encouraged teens to drink and engage in sexual activity, at times facilitating those interactions by providing condoms. Victims have also said O'Connor messaged them after parties, prying into their personal lives and harassing them. Legal analyst Steven Clark said he does not expect the judge to impose a sentence exceeding 50 years, despite calls from victims for the maximum penalty.
"Because there are so many victims in this case that in it took place over such a long period of time. How could this behavior have gone unnoticed for such a long time? In the community of Los Gatos is a big question that people want answered," Clark said. Here's what happened the previous days:Sentencing hearings are taking place in the Los Gatos party mom case after Shannon O'Connor was convicted for hosting drunken sex parties involving teenagers.
O'Connor appeared in court again Wednesday, facing the young women and families as they read statements about how their lives were affected by parties she hosted at her home. The statements delivered in court were often emotional, with many speakers in tears as they addressed O'Connor directly. One of them, identified in court as "Ryland Doe," said she met O'Connor when she was 11 years old and recently found a suicide note in her childhood bedroom that included O'Connor's name.
Another victim, identified as Jane Doe 12, said, "I wish I could say that every memory with you has been healed with time, but I still find myself crying myself to sleep over the way that you took complete advantage of me.
" A third victim, Jane Doe 7, chose to reveal her first name during her statement as what she described as an act of empowerment. "I refuse to let her live in my head any longer. I refuse to let these repercussions consume me, and I refuse to be a victim of hers," she said.
"She may have taken my voice away when I was just a little kid, but she has now created a platform for it. " Another victim, Jane Doe 5, said, "Shannon O'Connor held me prisoner for almost six years. It's her turn to serve a very long sentence in jail.
"Victim impact statements are being read at sentencing hearings for Shannon O'Connor, a Los Gatos mother convicted of hosting drunken sex parties involving teenagers. Four of six statements came from a victim identified as Jane Doe 4 and her family. In her statement, Jane Doe 4 said, "The trauma shattered parts of me and every day I wake up, I'm rebuilding what you broke.
" Her family described the lasting impact of the abuse, including her 35-day stay in an inpatient treatment center to address addiction, depression and anxiety. Her stepmother emphasized her daughter's resilience, telling O'Connor that she could not take away her daughter's qualities or strength. Copyright © 2026 KGO-TV. All Rights Reserved.
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