Child rapist blames Lake County victim at sentencing

For more than a year, James Craig molested a pre-teen Lake County girl about 10 times.

On Oct. 6, the 38-year-old South Charleston, West Virginia, man attempted to victimize the girl all over again during his 100-minute sentencing statement in Lake County Common Pleas Court.

“I’ve spent the last 451 days in jail for a crime I did not commit,” he told the girl. “I didn’t do anything to anybody. I really forgive you for lying about me. You can tell the truth now. I’m not even mad. I only need a hug. Your words alone are holding me in this prison. Your words alone will set me free. I really do forgive you. I’ll be sitting in prison every day, waiting for you to tell the truth.”

After listening to much of the statement, the victim, now 12, stood by her testimony that helped Craig get convicted on eight of 11 charges.

Read more: http://www.news-herald.com/general-news/20161006/child-rapist-blames-lake-county-victim-at-sentencing?source=most_viewed