Former Police Officer Daniel Holtzclaw Sentenced To 263 Years For Rapes

Used Badge To Prey On And Intimidate Black Women He Thought No One Would Believe

Daniel Holtzclaw will spend the rest of his life in jail. The former Oklahoma City police officer who was convicted last month of raping and sexually battering more than a dozen women while on duty was just sentenced to 263 years in prison, to be served consecutively – one after another.  An all white jury had convicted Holtzclaw of rape, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy and other charges. 13 women testified against Holtzclaw, and a jury convicted him of 18 of the 36 charges against him.

Holtzclaw, in a stunning move Thursday morning prior to sentencing, requested a new trial. For three hours attorneys met with the judge to debate the former officer’s claims that the prosecution “made deliberate discovery violations and misrepresentations, undermining confidence in the verdict,” as Oklahoma City’s KOCO reported.

But the judge ultimately denied the request.

“Three of Holtzclaw’s victims delivered tearful victim impact statements during the sentencing hearing including the oldest victim, 58-year-old Jannie Ligons, and the youngest, a 17-year-old unidentified girl,” the New York Daily News reports.

“My daughter and sisters are frightful when a police car pulls up behind them,” Ligons said.

“It’s been hard on my family. It’s been hard on me,” the 17-year-old said. “Every time I see the police, I don’t even know what to do. I don’t ever go outside, and when I do I’m terrified.”

“All three victims said Holtzclaw’s assaults did inconceivable damage to their lives,” Jezebel reports. “Reporter Patricia Santos said Holtzclaw appeared to be ‘trying to catch the eye’ of the victims as they spoke.”

The case is infamous for Holtzclaw’s deliberate and calculating manner in which he chose his victims. All are Black, and most had previous arrest records and thought the police would not believe them if they filed charges. Holtzclaw went so far as to run background checks on his victims before raping them.

“I didn’t think anyone would believe me. I’m a black female,” one of his victims said during the trial.

 

Image: Screenshot via Leslie Rangel/Twitter
Hat tip: Jezebel