Pocono News Section

Convicted Lock Haven Rapist Erupts After Verdict

Convicted Lock Haven Rapist Erupts After Verdict - Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at 4:30PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Mar 3, 2010 @ 05:30pm EST
Lock Haven, Clinton County-

The man accused of brutally attacking three Lock Haven University students, and repeatedly raping two of them, learned his fate from a jury Wednesday morning.

With his family behind him, Domenique Wilson sat quietly as the guilty verdicts were announced for each and every one of the 37 charges against him.

But a few minutes later, both the defendant and his mother erupted in angry outbursts.

Wilson's outburst continued for several minutes more as he was led to the sheriff's car that would take him back to the Clinton County Correctional Facility.

Wilson yelled, "I'm hurt because I did not get a fair trial. But it's all good because everything is in God's hands and I'm a spiritual man."

Wilson and his family also claimed the conviction was racially motivated- a statement quickly denounced by their attorney.

Defense Attorney Todd Fiore explained, "When somebody is facing this type of charge and is looking at potentially a life sentence, no one is ever happy when that happens. And it's common for a family to have an outburst like that."

Clinton County District Attorney Michael Salisbury called DNA evidence the "crown jewel" of his case. He also credited the investigation of Lock Haven Corporal Keith Kibler and the testimony of the three victims for the guilty verdict.

Salisbury said, "Hats off to them. They did a wonderful job. They're brave girls. They came here to seek justice and justice was done. And I'm very happy for them."

The jury deliberated for about 30 minutes before convicting Wilson on rape, robbery and a host of other charges. They were clearly not swayed by the defendant's adamant denials on the witness stand.

Fiore noted, "I warned Mr. Wilson that if he got up there, it wasn't just going to be me asking him questions. It was going to be an attorney that knew exactly how to ask him the right questions."

Wilson now faces sentencing in Clinton County court in June. Prosecutors say they'll seek the maximum penalty allowed by law.

Salisbury added, "As far as I'm concerned, he never needs to see the light of day again."

The victims' families were too emotional too speak on-camera after court. But the mother of one victim emailed Eyewitness News a statement Wednesday afternoon.

It read, in part, "We, the families, are grateful for the justice that has been served. He will no longer be able to do this heinous act to anyone ever again. Now it is time to close this chapter in the girl's lives and move on."