http://pressrepublican.com/new_today...r-raping-child

PLATTSBURGH €” A Plattsburgh man was sentenced to the maximum prison time
for repeatedly sexually abusing a 5-year-old girl.

On April 27, after a jury trial, Garfield J. Sorrell Jr., 27, of 25
McCarthy Drive was convicted of predatory sexual abuse against a child,
a felony, and endangering the welfare of a child.

He had attacked the girl on several occasions between July 2008 and
February 2009, subjecting her to rape, oral sex and aggravated sexual
contact.

On Monday, Judge Timothy J. Lawliss, presiding in Clinton County Supreme
Court Integrated Domestic Violence Court, sentenced him to 25 years to
life in prison and imposed a fine of $5,000 and surcharges of $1,425.

The court also imposed a 75-year stay-away order of protection for the
victim.

The sentence satisfied Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie.

€œJustice, at least as far as what is allowed under New York state law,
was done in this case,€� he said.

€œJudge Lawliss sentenced Garfield Sorrell to the maximum punishment
allowed under the law because his crimes deserved nothing less. He took
a childs innocence and twisted her love for him in ways that are almost
unimaginable, unbearable and most certainly unforgivable.

€œThis child, throughout this entire process, has been everything Sorrell
wasnt €” brave, courageous and honest.€�

Wylie said the young victim did not appear at the sentencing, but she
did make one request, written in blue crayon, which simply asked Sorrell
to tell the truth.

€œUnfortunately, that never happened, as he continues to deny
responsibility for what he did to her, and that is why this community is
safer with him behind bars for the rest of his life.€�

Sorrell was accompanied at sentencing by his trial attorney, Alan
Cruikshank.

The case was prosecuted by former Assistant District Attorney Chantelle
Schember.

Wylie said this, like most sexual-abuse cases, was difficult to
prosecute and difficult for the jury to hear.

€œSuccessful prosecution of these cases is only possible through the
dedication of law enforcement, Child Protective Services and other
agencies that work together to make sure these criminals are brought to
justice,€� Wylie said.

Sorrell wrote a letter to the Press-Republican on Friday, saying that he
planned to €œappeal my conviction and prove my innocence,€� citing bias
against him by the judge, jury and media.

--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.

- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)