February 26, 2008

The Charlottesville serial rapist was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences plus twenty years Tuesday afternoon.

Nathan Antonio Washington apologized to his victims, some of whom were sitting in court, to his family and to the city of Charlottesville. He also said that he didn't mean for this to happen.

Washington also took full responsibility for his crimes and accepted his punishment of life in prison.

“We achieved a result where this man is not going to hurt another woman again,” said Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Dave Chapman

Washington told a courtroom full of people that he was sorry but couldn't control his urges. He cried and asked for forgiveness, some of his family members cried with him.

But those tears won't take away the pain he caused at least seven women he sexually assaulted in the last ten years.

“Other people never recover ever…They are devastated and that is true for one of our victims she will never recover from this,” said Chapman.

Charlottesville police say it's possible Washington committed more than the seven sexual assaults he's been genetically linked to by DNA.

That's because there have been several unsolved cases in the city since 2002 police say they have their suspicions about.

"I think investigators have had some suspicion they are related to this suspect but because of the absence of forensic evidence we were not able to genetically link those cases," said Charlottesville Police Chief Tim Longo.

Investigators are now hoping if Washington did commit additional assaults he will fess up to them as part of a plea deal.

"There may be as many as a half a dozen or more like that, that very well could be him," said Longo.

Washington is now 40 years old, the first rape he was linked to by DNA was in Waynesboro in 1997. He would have been 29. So, one may wonder, is it possible he could have started his assaults on women long before 1997?

"Anything is possible," said Longo.

Washington will be held at the Albemarle/Charlottesville Regional Jail until the state decides which prison to send him to for the rest of his life.

The Commonwealth said Washington has complied with the plea agreement and recently met with investigators but would not say if he confessed to any additional assaults.