Judge Olu Stevens told Chauncy Rhodes, 25, that while he had no previous criminal history and was deemed a low risk for future offenses, his crime was “heinous” and he had refused to accept responsibility for what he had done.
“I don’t view you as being low risk despite your lack of (criminal) history,” Stevens told Rhodes. “Because you will not accept responsibility, and in my mind then you are bound to repeat.”
Rhodes, who must serve about 12 years in prison before he is eligible for parole, will appeal the March jury verdict finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a woman who had passed out in October 2011. A police citation said the woman was passed out on Rhodes’ bed and woke up with him having sex with her.
Angela Rea, Rhodes’ attorney, had asked Stevens to lower Rhodes’ sentence to 10 years in prison, pointing out that he had no other criminal history, had been working hard to become a police officer and had a lot of support from family and friends.
Rhodes cried while his mother, Deirdre Gerran, told Stevens how her son had fought through adversity in life, was a “very good boy” and would miss seeing his daughter — expected to be born next month — grow up.
After Stevens denied the motion for a reduced sentence, Rea asked whether Rhodes could be taken by jail officials to see his daughter when she is born, but the judge said that would be up to the Department of Corrections.
As he was taken from court by deputies, Rhodes said to a large group of family and friends, “Thank you all for coming. I appreciate it.”
Outside court, Woodrow Barlow, Rhodes’ stepfather, criticized Stevens for agreeing that Rhodes’ crime came “out of the blue,” but not considering a more lenient sentence. As for not taking responsibility for the rape, “If you don’t do something, you are not going to show remorse,” Barlow said.
But Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Erin White said the jury heard all the evidence in the case and found him guilty.
“We are thrilled with the court’s decision,” she said.
Source- The Courier-Journal