78 F
Cruz Bay
Friday, March 29, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesRAPIST GETS 10 YEARS FOR RAPE

RAPIST GETS 10 YEARS FOR RAPE

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.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.