Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/30/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Joan Risse

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Rapist Convicted by Sonoma County Jury

Today a Sonoma County jury convicted William Irwin of forcible oral copulation and sexual battery and misdemeanor assault. The crimes occurred on January 31, 2003. Irwin picked up the victim in his truck under the pretense of taking her to get something to eat. He then drove her to a church parking lot and sexually assaulted her. The victim was dropped off at a business, where the proprietor notified the police.

Irwin was also charged with threatening to kill the victim. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict on that charge.

Irwin was previously convicted of four prior "strike" convictions, including two counts of forcible oral copulation, forcible rape and kidnapping. The defendant admitted the convictions prior to the commencement of jury trial. One of his prior victims testified in this case.

Irwin is scheduled to be sentenced by Superior Court Judge Lawrence G. Antolini on October 7th. Because of his prior convictions, Irwin is looking at a sentence of 76 years to life in state prison.

Joan Risse was the prosecutor in the case. She commented that the jury rendered a "just verdict" in the case. Ms. Risse was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Ken Pistorio, Victim Advocate Miriam Gaon, and Sergeant Eric Litchfield of the Santa Rosa Police Department.