Rapist David Laguna Sentenced to 19 Years, 4 months
After nearly a year, the rape case against David Laguna is done. On Tuesday, September 18, Judge Anders Holmer sentenced the defendant to prison for a term of 19 years, 4 months.
From her wheelchair, the trembling 56 year-old victim spoke directly to the defendant at the sentencing hearing: "David, do you know what you took away from me?"
"In my own home, in my life, there is not peace. I can't sleep in the hospital bed where I was terrorized. I can't look at that bed."
"I have already lost so much of my life because of my medical conditions – but I always had the will and inner strength to cope. Now I have lost that will."
The victim suffers from many serious and debilitating illnesses, including Parkinson's disease, cardiacarrythmia, congestive heart failure, gout, and chronic pain. Her spine is sandwiched between two steel rods that run the entire length of her back.
After 19 years of celibacy while raising her daughter, the victim began an internet relationship with the defendant on a website called Tagworld.com. After several months of email correspondence, the 40 year-old defendant planned to visit the victim. Upon his arrival last October 20th, the day following the victim's sixth surgical replacement of her pacemaker, the victim realized that this plan was a mistake. On the third day of the defendant's visit, he brutally and forcefully raped and sodomized her. This occurred on her hospital bed in her home. She had a fluid discharge bag attached to her surgical wound at the time.
Judge Anders Holmer commented that the crimes were committed with cruelty and callousness. Members of the jury attended the hearing.
Prosecutor Kathryn Francis offered: "This defendant is a cruel predator. He preys on the weak and isolated. He's done it before, he would do it again. Prison is the right place for him. I hope the victim can find some peace now that this is over."
After a lengthy trial, which included testimony from the defendant's former wife that the defendant raped her three days after the birth of their child, while she was recovering from episiotomy surgery, the jury found the defendant guilty of six felony charges including forcible rape and dependent-adult abuse. Four of these felonies are strikes under California's Three-strikes law.
"The internet is a predator's playground. This case illustrates how dangerous the internet can be to any one of us, no matter our age." Francis warns.
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