Judge throws book at convicted rapist

The victim said her innocence and purity were stolen by a 'disgusting man.'
By NANCY TULLIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- "The monster in her nightmares looks like you," Judge R. Scott Krichbaum of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court told William G. Haschenburger on Thursday before sentencing him to 100 years in prison for multiple counts of rape.
Haschenburger's victim is now 19.
A jury of five men and seven women convicted Haschenburger, 47, of Fincastle Lane, of 10 counts of rape that occurred between July 26, 2000, and July 26, 2003, when his victim was 14 to 17.
Two members of the jury returned to the courtroom Thursday to witness Haschenburger's sentencing.
The victim and her parents described Haschenburger as a family friend who shared holidays and other family events with them. The father said Haschenburger had been his best friend.
Statement from victim
A victim's advocate read a statement from the victim, who said in part, "I will serve a lifelong sentence, too. The memory of what he did eats away at me. ... My innocence and purity have been stolen by this disgusting man. He stole what should have been the best years of my life -- my high school years. He made me lie to the very people who care about me the most and made me believe they were terrible people."
Judge Krichbaum gave Haschenburger the maximum sentence on each count of rape and ordered that each 10-year sentence be served consecutively.
"You betrayed the trust of your best friend and in the worst possible way," Judge Krichbaum told Haschenburger. "You took advantage of a beautiful young lady."
The judge spoke of "enduring and suffering through the trial testimony" along with the jury, and how it bothered him. He paused as he searched for the proper words.
"I have to restrain myself here in court from saying what I really want to say," he said. "You told me you were innocent. You are not innocent, and not honest either."
Not much to say
Haschenburger's only comment to the court was that he was sorry.
Dawn Krueger, an assistant county prosecutor, recommended the maximum sentence.
Judge Krichbaum said he could not be certain that Haschenburger had not raped other young girls, and could not be convinced that Haschenburger would not commit other rapes if he were not incarcerated.
Judge Krichbaum said the maximum sentence with terms served consecutively would make an example of Haschenburger and send a message to others who might think of preying on young girls.
"I want to make sure he doesn't get out," Judge Krichbaum said. He said even a maximum sentence, if not served consecutively, would send the message that Haschenburger or others could "rape as much as you want and then only get 10 years."
Probation
Judge Krichbaum said the sentence also includes five years of probation, and if Haschenburger violated that probation, he could get more prison time, even as much as an additional 50 years. He said Haschenburger would not have the opportunity for early release, no "time off for good behavior."
Krueger explained later that the law requires a probation term be added to any prison sentence, "even if the sentence is 1,000 years."
"Your lawyer said there are worse forms of rape, and I can't imagine anything worse than this," Judge Krichbaum told Haschenburger. "You said she loved you and wanted to marry you. You are three times older than her. This is a little girl who didn't know any better. You made her think it was OK and did it over and over again. You raped a young girl, and you should be punished for it over and over again."
Minimum requested
Defense attorney Sara Kovoor requested the minimum sentence on each of the counts. Kovoor said Haschenburger is a diabetic, is partially blind as a result of that disease, and has other health problems.
"How could I give a minimum sentence to somebody who raped a little girl?" the judge asked Kovoor. "I hate to tell you, I'm not all that busted up about his problems."
Kovoor has 30 days to file an appeal. Haschenburger will receive credit on his prison sentence for 181 days served.
tullis@vindy.com