422 YEARS FOR RAPE, TORTURE

Newsday

Robert Williams, a ex-convict, was sentenced to life in prison yesterday for the 19-hourrape and torture of a Columbia University graduate student.  He was convicted last month ofattempted murder, rape, kidnapping and arson.  His actual sentence, 422 years, was pronouncedby State Supreme Court Justice CarolBerkman, who said that for the sake of public safety, shedoesn't ever want him to get out of prison again.  Williams scalded the woman with boilingwater; tried to blind her with bleach; forced her to swallow fistfuls of painkillers; and orderedher to gouge out her eyes with scissors.  He also glued her lips shut and gagged her with ducttape before torching her apartment trying to burn her alive.  Williams previously served 8years in prison for attempted murder.

(New York)