PITTSBURGH (AP) - A man who drove a transit van for people with disabilities will spend six to 16 years in prison for repeatedly raping a blind woman with Down syndrome.
The 53-year-old victim told an Allegheny County judge in a letter transcribed by a relative that she’d like to give 56-year-old Daniel Burrelli “a knuckle sandwich.”
Judge Jill Rangos imposed the sentence Wednesday, to be followed by 10 years’ probation, after acknowledging that Burrelli has mental health issues. The Oakmont man apologized and told the judge, “I am extremely upset with myself.”
Burrelli was charged in March 2015 with repeatedly raping the woman over a period of 18 months. She has the mental capacity of a 4-year-old.
Her family testified that the victim is now mostly hides in her room watching TV.
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