DOVER, N.H. (AP) – A man convicted of raping several University of New Hampshire students nearly two decades ago is asking to have his sentence reduced.

Gary Fecteau, 39, originally from Newmarket, was sentenced to at least 26 years in prison. He has served nearly 18 years and seeks suspension of the remaining sentence.

During a hearing this week, Fecteau said he is ashamed and a changed man. Eight witnesses, including state prison employees, supported the request.

Strafford Superior Court Judge Bruce Mohl heard arguments from County Attorney Janice Rundles, who argued against sentence reduction.

Witnesses close to Fecteau including state prison employees and members of the prison ministry testified in favor of a sentence reduction, depicting him as a redeemed man who poses no risk to society.

“I’m not easily misled,” said Fecteau’s prison counselor, Ron Converse, a clinical psychologist. Converse oversaw Fecteau as he participated in and completed two sex offender programs.

During cross-examinations, Rundles recounted the violent nature of Fecteau’s crimes. She alluded to the numerous female witnesses in Fecteau’s original trial who testified to his repeated stalking and aggressive behavior.

She also said Fecteau fought hard during his trial, maintaining his innocence and has been challenging his sentence the majority of his time in prison.

During his near 30-minute testimony Wednesday, Fecteau described himself as a changed man with an indescribable sense of shame and regret.

“I hate the person I was. I am ashamed of the person I was,” he said. “Even now, I wake up and look in the mirror and say, How could you have done those things?”‘