Rapist Who Acted As His Own Lawyer Found Guilty

Serial rapist John Hamlett's strategy to act as his own lawyer and cross-examine one of his victims has backfired, surprising no one except Hamlett himself. The Daily News reports that he "shook his head in disbelief" when a jury found him guilty yesterday on all 12 counts of sexual abuse, criminal sexual acts, robbery, burglary, and criminal impersonation of a police officer. In 2006, Hamlett broke into the same building on East Third Street and Avenue B three times. On the first visit, he pushed into a woman's apartment with a 10-inch knife and sexually assaulted her. Thirteen days later, he climbed through the fire-escape window into an empty apartment and stole a checkbook, returning days later and identifying himself to the female resident as a detective who had found her checkbook. During the trial, the distraught victim was forced to relive the assault by submitting to Hamlett's cross-examination; he now faces up to 165 years in prison, according to the Post.

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By John Del Signore in News on November 6, 2008 9:53 AM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

He should try being his own executioner as well. And in that endeavor, I hope he succeeds.

Snoopy

There is a God after all.

Spirit of 76

He shouldn't look at this as a bad thing. It's an opportunity. Prison libraries have lots of law books and he can brush up during his stay. Maybe next time, he'll be able to defend himself better. And we all know that there will definitely be a next time where he's concerned.

pete

He was watching too many crime dramas on his stolen Plasma TV.

Mr Mel

He's giving rapists a bad name.

TK

we need more lawyers imprisoned.

r1b2

Dig a put, throw him in, push a rock on top. He's a predator and a menace. I want him off the streets and away from all of you nice Gothamist commenters.

Snoopy

Good idea splicer. Put them up there for a sixty day voyage with a thirty day supply of oxygen.

Splicer

People like this are perfect candidates for the day we start colonizing the Moon or mining the asteroid belt. Any attitude and it's Meet Mr. Airlock.

Snoopy

He will now file an appeal based on poor representation at his trial.

Just take him outside and shoot him. To save expenses just use a gun that was retrieved at a crime scene. I'm sure there are at least one or two live cartridges left.