One of the convicted Vanderbilt rapists said he's been spending a lot of time behind bars in church.
Recorded phone calls from Brandon Vandenburg to friends and family reveal, about a week ago, he seemed to feel confident leading into his sentencing hearing Friday.
"I read my bible today, I listened to this sermon last night," he told a friend enthusiastically, "I feel good, everything's good, it's all gonna work out."
Friday a judge will sentence Vandenburg for orchestrating the rape of a woman in his dorm room.
It's been more than three years since four Vanderbilt football players raped an unconscious female student.
Brandon Vandenburg was considered the ringleader, though he didn't commit the sexual acts. He was dating the victim.
"He brought here there, he served her up to three strangers," prosecutors told the jury.
In June a jury convicted Vandenburg for a second time. A mistrial was called after news came to light that the original jury foreman was a victim of statutory rape.
After multiple delays to the hearing, Friday the world will find out how long Vandenburg will sit in prison.
"I wouldn't be surprised either way," said NewsChannel 5 legal analyst Nick Leonardo, "if he did receive the minimum sentence, or if Mr. Vandenburg got more."
Leonardo says there's a lot riding on his sentence. Corey Batey got the minimum 15 years. But two other defendants are working on plea bargains.
And how hard the judge is on Vandenburg will most likely affect their deals.
"I believe right now they would like to see what the judge thinks about Mr. Vandeburg's involvement," Leonardo said.
The victim was disappointed with Batey's sentence. And we expect her to speak against Vandenburg at his hearing.
"I think the victim has demonstrated that she is willing to see this case to the end and she's been very brave and has come to court and I think that will have a bearing," said Leonardo.
The judge can give Vandenburg a sentence between 15 and 25 years. But because of the crime, he's not eligible for parole until 85 percent of his sentence is served.
And he will register as a violent sex offender for life.
