Thanks, in part, to a 92-year old woman’s testimony, her rapist won’t see the light of day for a very long time.
Not only did a Lincoln County jury take just minutes to convict 27-year old Kevin Higgins on charges of rape and burglary, they made it clear he should never walk free again.
They recommended life in prison. And a judge agreed.
“Extraordinarily egregious, shocking to the conscious,” said Hon. David Tapp.
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In June of 2013, Higgins forced his way into a 92-year old woman’s home, raped and beat her. When it came time for the trial, that victim was courageous enough to get on the stand and recount every agonizing minute.
“I think one of the most influential phrases she used during the testimony was the fact that he was unmerciful with her. He showed her no mercy. And I’m glad the courts showed no mercy to him,” said Lisa Dolen, the victim’s granddaughter.
“He has not expressed remorse. He’s a career criminal and in prison where he belongs,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy Montgomery.
The victim, who is 93 now, wasn’t able to be in court for Higgins’ sentencing Friday because she broke her hip not long after the trial. But her granddaughters say if she could have been there, she would have.
“She wanted to be. She wanted to show him that he may have gotten her down, but she wasn’t going to stay down,” Dolen said.
Higgins will be able to ask for parole after 20 years.
He was was found guilty of rape first degree, two counts burglary, two counts of theft first degree and two counts of persistent felony offender first degree. Police said Higgins was already in jail for a burglary that happened the night after this incident when DNA results linked him to the crime.
