Convicted rapist pleads guilty to two murders, sentenced
A 44-year-old man convicted two months of raping one woman and trying to rape another was sentenced today to life in prison -- with all but 50 years suspended -- after pleading guilty to killing two other women in 2003.
“The defendant targeted defenseless, vulnerable young women facing challenges such as
mental issues, addiction, and poverty," State's Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein said in a statement. "He believed that these women were expendable and that we wouldn’t pursue their killer with vigor because of their backgrounds. He was wrong on both counts. Nobody in our city is invisible, second class, or beneath our concern."
The killer, William Vincent Brown, from Gwnn Oak, dumped the bodies, and a third victim he tried to kill, in Leakin Park. The closure of this case helps shed light on a series of attacks that occurred several years ago. The Sun's Tricia Bishop documented the case in January, and her report can be found here.
More details from a statement issued by Bernstein's office:
WILLIAM V. BROWN PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO MURDERS
Already convicted of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree rape, 44-year-old
to serve 50 years in prison Less than two months after being convicted for raping and attempting to kill a woman, William Vincent Brown pled guilty to two additional murders.
For the three crimes, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Timothy Doory sentenced Brown today to life in prison with all but 50 years suspended. During a three-month period in 2003, Brown, 44, murdered Antania Mills, raped and disfigured Wendy Davis, and killed Emma O’Hearn, according to evidence presented at the defendant’s trial involving the attack on Ms. Davis and Brown’s subsequent plea of guilty to the two murders.
Just 15 years old at the time, Mills was discovered on March 7, 2003, along the side of the road, nude with a shirt wrapped tightly around her neck, shoe strings and a cloth belt binding her ankles. The cause of death was blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. One month later, Davis was found unconscious in Leakin Park by employees of the Baltimore Department of Parks and Recreation.
So severe were her injuries that she required reconstructive surgery to both ears and physical therapy to learn to eat again. A Baltimore City Circuit court jury convicted Brown in January 2011 of second-degree attempted murder and second-degree rape for his attack on Davis.
In June 2003, O’Hearn, barely conscious and severely beaten, was located by two students on the grounds of Calverton Middle School. She ultimately died from the severe head trauma she suffered.
“The defendant targeted defenseless, vulnerable young women facing challenges such as mental issues, addiction, and poverty. He believed that these women were expendable and that we wouldn’t pursue their killer with vigor because of their backgrounds. He was wrong on both counts. Nobody in our city is invisible, second class, or beneath our concern,” said State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein, who filed a Sentencing Memorandum with the Court.
Categories: Breaking news, Confronting crime, Courts and the justice system, Southwest Baltimore
Comments
I'm sorry but this guy is an ideal candidate for the death penality. I am usually on the fence about this but when there is clear, overwhelming proof like this we shouldn't have to be forced to support him for the rest of his life!
Posted by: John Lexington | March 18, 2011 12:05 PM
So how much time will he actually serve?
He's sentenced to 50, eligible for parole after 25, though not a likely candidate, the judge said today.
Posted by: mb | March 18, 2011 12:26 PM
I totally agree with you John.
Posted by: Brandi | March 18, 2011 12:53 PM
If ever there was a case that screams death penalty, this is it.
Posted by: Will T | March 18, 2011 1:04 PM
I'm glad Bernstein was running things when this came up. Otherwise Jessimey would have let him plead it down to aggravated assault, out today with time served & good behavior. After all at least one was probably found in a fetal position, "like she was sleeping", per Burns outragous comment about Zak Sowers.
Posted by: cyberfool | March 18, 2011 1:11 PM
Why wouldn't they suspend ANY of this guy's sentence?!?!?! He is a serial rapist and killer. What is wrong with out judicial system??!! It's difficult not to curse here!
Posted by: Nancy | March 18, 2011 1:13 PM
Oddly enough, putting down someone like this would cost more than locking him away for life. And just think, in a few decades he'll be whining to be let out of his life sentence early because he's old and doesn't want to die in prison.
Posted by: Peter | March 18, 2011 1:19 PM
It's good that he is going to jail, but is there a reason his sentence was suspended but for the 50 years? Does that mean that he will be in prison for 50 years, or will he be able to get out earlier than that? I don't think he deserves a chance like that after the brutality of his crimes.
Posted by: kmm | March 18, 2011 3:19 PM
Why did this sorry excuse only get 50 years? The DEATH PENALTY is what should have been given out. My tax dollar and yours to keep this trash alive
Posted by: Mike | March 18, 2011 3:40 PM
The only guarantee he will never get out and do it again: execution. I strongly endorse the death penalty. Look at how many women he killed. Annihilate him.
Posted by: Vito Ruzzo | March 18, 2011 4:08 PM
dis sick son of a bitch deserve the death penaity i dnt wish dat against nobody becouse no one deseve dere life takin away but on dis note his ass do i acturally when to school wit antania didnt kno her personally but from friends my heart goes out to her and the rest off the victims family im so happy dat got dis sick jerk
Posted by: tiearra | April 1, 2011 2:45 PM