Harlem Man Who Tried To Rape 73-Year-Old Woman Convicted
Feb. 25, 2012, 10:50 a.m.
The man who attacked a 73-year-old grandmother in East Harlem two summers ago has been convicted of attempted rape and assault.
Kentrel Whitaker
The man who attacked a 73-year-old grandmother in East Harlem two summers ago has been convicted of attempted rape and assault. Prosecutors said that Kentrel Whitaker, 33, approached the woman, who was out for her morning walk on the FDR Drive jogging path in East Harlem, in August 2010—he threw her to the ground, beat her, removed her clothing and tried to rape her. He was only stopped from completing the rape because a passer-by intervened.
The woman suffered broken bones in the attack. Although he fled the scene, Whitaker was caught because investigators found Whitaker's DNA on the woman's underwear. His DNA profile was alredy logged in the system due to previous criminal convictions. Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. touted the effectiveness of DNA technology: “This accurate and cost-effective technology has solved thousands of crimes, including rapes, murders, robberies and burglaries, and prevented countless more," he said.
As NY1 points out, Whitaker faces five to 15 years in prison when sentenced.
