GENESEO — Gary Smith, 66, the man who raped a 19-year-old college student in 1982 and then fled authorities, has been sentenced to the maximum sentence possible by Judge Robert Wiggins.
Smith was sentenced 8 1/3 to 25 years for Rape in the 1st degree, Criminal Sex act in the 1st degree and kidnapping. He was additionally sentenced to 1 1/3 – 4 years for bail jumping.
“Gary Smith committed savage and heinous acts,” said Greg McCaffrey, Livingston County District Attorney. “Then he cowardly ran away.”
According to his Defense Attorney, Marcea Clark Tetamore, Smith claimed to have committed additional rapes in the area during the 80s, but authorities had no open investigations from that time period.
The victim was in the court room and did not make a victim impact statement. She did however write a letter to Judge Robert Wiggins, which he credited for her strength and courage for not letting that horrific evening determine the rest of her life.
“The victim was traumatized and had to probably live with demons,” Judge Wiggins said. “But the victim has risen from the ashes and become a strong voice.”
The crime, which occurred on June 13th 1982, Smith raped the victim in the Village Park and then kidnapped her and took her to his home, where he conned the horrific rape, only later to dump her body on the side of the road.
According to probation reports released in court, Smith is terminally ill, and appeared in a wheel chair and according to doctors has mere months to live, and was caught solely because he needed medical attention.
Smith spent a total of 31 years on the run.
According to Tetamore, Smith stated to her that he was sorry for what he had done, but did not comment at sentencing.
As Smith was wheeled out of the court room, the victim let out a sigh and hugged her companion in a final act of triumph.