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Family wants rapist to stay behind bars Man up for parole for Portage crime

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Colin McEwen
December 26, 2008

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

COLUMBUS -- William Griffith is set for a parole hearing next month after serving 20 years for two counts of rape and aggravated burglary.

His victims's families hope he stays behind bars.

Griffith, 66, of Stark County, was suspected in more than 50 rapes in a four-county area, including Portage, and was convicted in 1988 and 1994 on two counts of rape and aggravated burglary.

In 1994, Griffith was sentenced in Portage County for a period of seven to 25 years for the 1988 rape of an Atwater girl. She was home alone when Griffith broke into the home.

While that was his only rape conviction in Portage County, investigators suspected him in other local cases.

At the time of that conviction, he was serving a term of 10 to 25 years for an April 1988 rape in Jackson Township.

He is currently incarcerated at the Richland Correctional Institution.

The victims' family hopes he will not be released, because they believe he is still a threat to society.

A family member of one of Griffith's victims told the Record-Courier they are hopeful he would stay in prison for at least "another 15 to 20 years."

The family member said the victim has "never been the same" and has since feared for her life.

Although the Parole Board hearing is not scheduled until the first week of January 2009, the family member said the family plans to approach the board in Columbus with letters of support from law enforcement officials, family members and dozens of newspaper clippings of his crimes.

"How can he get out and not want to do that again?" the family member asked. "An old dog is good for the same tricks."

The family members encouraged area residents to visit the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction's Web site and write a letter in support of keeping Griffith incarcerated.

--

E-mail: cmcewen@recordpub.com

Phone: (330) 298-1126




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5.
    Posted by tilhaas1 December 26, 2008
I not only believe that a man who has raped as many women has this man has, should never be released to ruin many more lives he is lucky to be in jail and not dead. People who have had a loved one raped usually find away of taking the law in there own hands . Now that I don't believe in but this man ruined many lives and needs to stay behind bars where he has no chance of doing this again. PLease don't take this chance keep him where he is for the rest of his life, The women he raped are in a place much worst then Jail they live the rest of their lives in fear and hell. So please keep him in jail. Thank You

4.
    Posted by tellnitlikeitis December 26, 2008
bubba is an ethnic name?

3.
    Posted by wfedman2004 December 26, 2008
Hey Citizen Kane why are you applying ethnic names to prisoners, Do you think ethnic people are the only ones in prison.

2.
    Posted by CommunityGuy December 26, 2008
To rape anyone is unthinkable, but a young girl.......society cannot tolerate that and we won't.

1.
    Posted by CommunityGuy December 26, 2008
I agree. A serial rapist....keep his ass behind bars. Let him rape bubba, jermaine and jose in the shower or in the yard.

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