Elwin Joyce, who was convicted in January of first-degree rape and unlawful sexual contact, will serve 10 years in prison under the mandatory sentence for rape.
Territorial Court Judge Brenda Hollar sentenced Joyce on Monday to 15 years for rape and 10 years for each of the two
charges of unlawful sexual contact. She suspended five years of the three sentences, according to media reports.
Several friends of Joyce came forward with statements about his character. People in
some areas of the community were surprised by his arrest and conviction, saying he was "a really nice person."
But Douglas Dick, assistant attorney general, said Joyce was doubly guilty and should be given the maximum terms of 30 years for the rape and 15 years for each charge of unlawful sexual contact because he was a friend of the victim's family. Dick said this constituted an even greater betrayal, according to the Daily News report.
Joyce raped the 17-year-old girl in the back of his pickup truck near Lionel Roberts Stadium last April while a Carnival calypso show was going on.
Stephen A. Brusch, Joyce's attorney, argued that Joyce had a family and asked Hollar to allow Joyce to have work release so he could support his wife and children. Hollar denied the request.