Victims of ex-Oklahoma officer say lives forever changed

A former USA cop has been sentenced to 263 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting eight women while he was on duty.

On Wednesday, Holtzclaw’s lawyers asked for a new trial, alleging prosecutors did not disclose newly discovered evidence – including DNA evidence and the accounts of accusers who falsely claimed to be victims – to the defense, according to CNN affiliate KFOR. The attorney was seeking a new trial or hearing, but the motion was denied.

Throughout his trial, women told the jury stories of searches or background checks during encounters with Holtzclaw. The judge handed down the sentence after victims said the former officer had destroyed their lives. “I don’t ever go outside, and when I do, I’m terrified”.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater said Holtzclaw was not a law officer who committed crimes, but rather “a rapist who masqueraded as a law enforcement officer”. He has been found guilty on a total of 18 counts out of 36.

Holtzclaw’s attorney, Scott Adams, tells The Associated Press that both sides are discussing Holtzclaw’s motion for a new trial, which alleges that prosecutors withheld evidence from the defense.

Three of his victims provided emotional statements at the hearing, including the youngest, a 17-year-old unnamed girl.

In many cases, the women said they were assaulted after being stopped by Holtzclaw for seemingly no discernible reason.

“I believe Mr. Holtzclaw has used a position of power and authority, and intimidation tactics to victimize each one of these ladies”, he said. “It’s my word against his because I’m a woman and, you know, like I said, he’s a police officer”.

But as Vox’s Dara Lind pointed out, these 990 police officers were the ones who were caught and then punished for their actions.

Five of the victims plan to sue the city. After threatening to arrest them for possession of drug paraphernalia or outstanding warrants, Holzclaw forced the women to have sex with him. The investigation preceding his arrest was initiated in May 2014, when one of his victims – a woman with no recent criminal history, who didn’t live in the neighborhood Holtzclaw patrolled – reported him to police. Four of the charges Holtzclaw was convicted of were first-degree rape, along with other charges that included sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and procuring lewd exhibitions.