Judge gives 'Dangerous' Rapist 8-30 years in Prison
December 5, 2010
NORRISTOWN — Saying danger lurks deep within a man who followed a woman home from a Lower Providence Walmart and attempted to rape her, a judge sentenced the man to a lengthy state prison sentence.
"This positively chilling and horrific crime was committed by a man that sees the world differently, and that is scary. It's nothing less than chilling what took place here," Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O'Neill said Friday as he sentenced Seth Thomas Griffith to 8½-to-30-years in a state correctional facility in connection with the July 2009 attempted rape of a 19-year-old college student inside her Lower Providence home.
"The behavior you engaged in against (the victim) is nothing less than predatory. Your danger lurks far deeper because you can blend in and appear normal," O'Neill added. "This was committed with stalking and tracking the victim. I do consider you to be a danger to society, especially to vulnerable women."
During a May trial, a jury convicted Griffith, 34, of Haws Avenue, Norristown, of charges of attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, indecent assault, unlawful restraint, burglary and possessing an instrument of crime, specifically, the belt he used to restrain the woman during the assault.
Griffith claimed at trial, and told probation officials prior to sentencing, that the petite woman smiled at him and at one point pulled at the crotch of her shorts, which he took as an invitation to a sexual encounter.
"It's scary that that's your view of the world. It's a sexual game, it's a fantasy," O'Neill told a stone-faced, unfazed Griffith. "I clearly believe all indications show you have an anti-social personality disorder. That's a dangerous person."
"The trial that played out in this courtroom was something that will remain with me forever because it was so chilling," added O'Neill.
Griffith testified at trial that he went to Walmart on July 27, 2009, to exchange some bulbs for his car, and he walked in behind the young woman he found attractive.
While the 19-year-old Audubon woman browsed through the store waiting for a prescription to be filled, Griffith followed her from department to department, according to court testimony.
Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman, who argued for a lengthy state sentence against Griffith, said it's ridiculous to suggest that a woman adjusting her clothing in public is inviting a sexual tryst.
"That's what makes him so scary. I think he's always going to be dangerous because of his warped sense of reality," Cauffman said.
"He picked a woman at random in a public place, stalked her through the store, followed her home, broke into her house, grabbed a belt to restrain her and then tried to rape her. He's every woman's worst nightmare because he's so unsuspecting and it's such a random crime it could happen to anyone," said Cauffman, adding the trauma of the attack will haunt the woman for the rest of her life.
Defense lawyer John Kravitz argued for leniency on behalf of Griffith, pointing out Griffith had no prior criminal record and many supportive friends and relatives who where shocked by his behavior.
"He denies culpability," said Kravitz, who argued at trial that when Griffith went to the house to have sex with the woman, he had no intention of raping her. Kravitz implied the attempted sexual encounter was consensual.
Testimony revealed that after the woman left the store and got in her car, Griffith was waiting in the parking lot and followed her to her house on Harrier Drive. Griffith entered the house through a garage, leaving his sandals at the door and walked into the house. After picking up a belt from the laundry, he went upstairs, authorities said. The woman testified Griffith appeared at her bedroom door, spoke to her briefly, then pushed her onto her bed and tried to force her to have sex.
The woman screamed and scratched her attacker, and eventually talked him out of the rape, according to testimony.
At one point, Griffith put a belt around the woman's neck to restrain her. Eventually, she convinced him to leave the house and escorted him out, testimony revealed.
Griffith fled the area after the assault and was apprehended about two weeks later in Nevada.
"You knew exactly what you did," O'Neill scolded Griffith. "This crime was more serious and onerous than usual. I have a dangerous individual who committed a serious crime with no remorse."
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