Daniel Holtzclaw, ex-Oklahoma City cop, was sentenced Thursday to 263 years in prison for multiple counts of first-degree rape and other charges.
Prosecutors said Holtzclaw preyed on African-American women primarily in Oklahoma City's poorest neighborhoods over a six-month period, likely figuring that their own criminal histories would undermine any claims they might make against him,
CNN reported.
In total, 13 victims testified against Holtzclaw. They ranged greatly in age.
"All the women were victims, from the 17-year old teenager to the 57-year old grandmother," said attorney Benjamin Crump, who represented the families of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. "This is a statement for 400 years of racism, oppression and sexual assault of black women; a statement of victory not only for the 'OKC 13,' but for so many unknown women."
According to The Associated Press, the teenager, now 18, told Oklahoma County District Judge Timothy Henderson at the sentencing that, "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."
Jannie Ligons, 57, said that Holtzclaw forced her to perform sex acts on him.
"I tried to perform oral sex," she said. "And trying to talk, I kept saying, 'Sir, please don't make me do this.' I said, 'Are you gonna shoot me?' He said, 'I promise I am not.' I didn't believe him. I kept seeing his gun while he was making me do this right there on the street. I was sitting in the passenger side of the car and he was standing there. It was so horrifying. It was unreal. I cried and cried."
24-year-old Shandegreon "Sade" Hill told CNN that she was intoxicated when Holtzclaw arrested her. She said he raped her while she was handcuffed to a hospital bed trying to detox.
The sentencing judge ordered that Holtzclaw's 263 years be served consecutively, meaning he will never be free again.
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