New York rapist gets 30-year prison sentence

A New York City man who raped a 74-year-old bird watcher in Central Park has been sentenced to 30 years in prison. David Albert Mitchell, 43, pleaded guilty to rape in the first degree and sexually motivated robbery in the second degree two weeks ago and was sentenced Wednesday to 30 years in prison plus an additional 10 years of supervised release, The New York Times reported. "For a plea bargain, this is one of the highest sentences I have ever given pretrial," said Justice Bonnie G. Wittner of State Supreme Court after the sentencing. "My intention was to punish him and make sure he will never hurt any other person again." Prosecutors said Mitchell raped a 74-year-old bird-watcher in a wooded area Central Park on Sept. 12, 2012. The victim, whose name was not released, spoke before Wittner sentenced Mitchell. "Make no mistake, this is a sexual terrorist," she said. "There is only one proper punishment for a terrorist. He must be locked away in a horrible prison for the rest of his life." "You, David Albert Mitchell, for the pain you inflicted on me and, by association, on my loving family and friends, may you rot in hell for all eternity," she added.