A former Oklahoma City police officer was sentenced on Thursday to 263 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting eight women while on duty. Judge Timothy Henderson handed down the sentence in a packed Oklahoma County courthouse, with dozens more people watching from an overflow room. The conviction followed a trial that became a symbol of police abuse and the marginalisation of women of colour.
Before the ruling, several of Daniel Holtzclaw's victims addressed the court, urging the judge to impose a lengthy term. Jannie Ligons, 57, whose call to police led to Holtzclaw's arrest, said she felt vindicated. "Justice was served for me and victims all over this nation," she said. Another accuser, Shandegreon Hill, said she would now be able to sleep at night. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents some of the victims, called the sentence "a landmark victory" and a statement against centuries of racism and oppression.
Holtzclaw, 29, was convicted in December by an all-white jury on 18 criminal counts, including five counts of rape and 13 counts of sexual assault or sexual battery, out of a possible 36. Thirteen women, all of them black and many living in difficult circumstances, testified that Holtzclaw had assaulted them. In many cases, he used his knowledge of their criminal histories to coerce them.
The sentencing hearing was delayed for several hours as the judge considered a motion for a new trial filed by Holtzclaw's attorney, who claimed the state had withheld evidence. The motion was denied. Holtzclaw was arrested in June 2014 and later charged with assaults that took place between late 2013 and his arrest.
During the trial, the defence sought to undermine the credibility of the accusers by questioning them about drug use, drinking and other personal matters. However, the women gave broadly consistent accounts of how Holtzclaw isolated and terrorised them. One victim, a 17-year-old girl, testified that he raped her on her mother's porch while threatening her with an outstanding warrant. Holtzclaw was found guilty on all counts related to that assault. Hill, whose accusations did not result in convictions, is suing Holtzclaw and Oklahoma City in civil court.
