Oklahoma, Jan 23: A judge on Thursday sentenced Daniel Holtzclaw, the former Oklahoma City police officer convicted of raping and sexually assaulting eight different women while on duty, to 263 years in prison – a resounding win for his victims, who had called for Holtzclaw to spend the maximum number of years behind bars.
Judge Timothy Henderson read the sentence before a packed courtroom in the Oklahoma County courthouse. Dozens more packed into the hallways and into an overflow room. Several of Holtzclaw’s victims spoke before the ruling, asking the judge to levy a long prison sentence.
Court was initially delayed for several hours, a lag thought to be connected to Holtzclaw’s motion for a new trial. One day before his sentence, Holtzclaw’s attorney filed a motion with the court claiming the state withheld evidence and denied him a fair trial. The judge heard from a defense witness supporting the motion. On Thursday, the judge denied the move for a new trial.
