An East Petersburg man will serve up to 27 years in prison for beating and sexually assaulting a woman last year in Manheim Township.
Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth noted William K. Lawrence’s lack of remorse while ordering a 10½ -to-27-year prison term.
Lawrence, 36, was convicted at a December trial of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, and related counts.
Assistant District Attorney Susan Ellison presented evidence at trial that Lawrence beat and sexually assaulted the woman Aug. 29 and 30, 2016, at her home on Louise Avenue.
At sentencing, Ellison said Lawrence continued to influence the victim even after the attack, convincing her not to testify at trial. Ellison presented the victim’s prior statements to police in place of her taking the witness stand.
Ashworth also pointed to Lawrence’s ongoing denial of what happened; Lawrence now denies things he previously admitted to police.
Manheim Township police Detective Christopher Dissinger was lead investigator and filed charges,
In all, the jury returned guilty verdicts to counts of indecent assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, simple assault and unlawful restraint. Three of those charges are felonies.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright