A former Oklahoma
City police officer was convicted Thursday of raping and sexually
victimizing eight women on his police beat in a minority, low-income
neighborhood.
Daniel Holtzclaw, who turned 29 Thursday, sobbed as the verdict was read
aloud. Jurors convicted him on 18 counts involving eight of the 13
women who had accused him; the jury acquitted him on another 18 counts.
He could spend the rest of his life in prison based on the jury's
recommendation that he serve a total of 263 years, including a 30-year
sentence on each of four first-degree rape convictions. He was also
convicted of forcible oral sodomy, sexual battery, procuring lewd
exhibition and second-degree rape.
The jury deliberated for about 45 hours over four days. Holtzclaw's
sentencing is set for Jan. 21. A judge will decide whether he will have
to serve the sentences consecutively.
Holtzclaw's father — a police officer in Enid, about 100 miles northwest
of Oklahoma City — his mother and sister were in the courtroom as the
verdict was read. At least one accuser was present, as well as several
black community leaders. Seven armed deputies were stationed around the
room.
Holtzclaw's defense attorney, Scott Adams, declined to comment after the verdict was read.
"Justice was done today, and a criminal wearing a uniform is going to
prison now," Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said. "In
those counts where the not guilty verdicts came back, they determined
that we didn't prove those cases beyond a reasonable doubt. It doesn't
mean they didn't believe the victims."
The lead detective in the case, Kim Davis, said after the verdict: "I
feel horrible for his family. It's brutal, but I think justice was
served."
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