Man gets 45 years for rape, more

Judge calls attack ‘unprovoked and vicious’

A 20-year-old man received a 45-year prison sentence for rape, kidnapping and other crimes following a jury trial Tuesday in Miller County.

Demarcus Rayfield attacked and raped a woman who was dating his mother’s estranged husband, witnesses testified. Rayfield’s mother’s estranged husband is not Rayfield’s father. Rayfield’s mother, Demetria Harris-Singleton, 34, allegedly was in the victim’s house while Rayfield sexually assaulted the victim in her bedroom.

“The court has determined from the evidence that the attack on the victim was unprovoked and vicious,” Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson said at the end of Rayfield’s trial. “The rape was not for sexual gratification but to impose humiliation and fear upon the victim. Most importantly, the defendant has not expressed any remorse. He left the victim in a pool of blood with blood dripping from the walls in her apartment and took her phone so that she could not call for help. Further, the defendant has a history of physical violence against women, possession of a weapon and drugs.”

Rayfield was found guilty of rape, kidnapping, aggravated assault, robbery and aggravated residential burglary.

Rayfield received 20 years for rape, five years for aggravated assault, five years for robbery, five years for kidnapping and 20 years for aggravated residential burglary. Johnson ordered Rayfield to serve the five-year terms at the same time. The 20-year terms will be served consecutively to each other and the five-year terms.

Deputy Prosecutor Connie Mitchell, who handled the state’s case, said Rayfield must serve at least 70 percent of his term on the rape case before becoming parole eligible and at least 50 percent of his term for aggravated robbery. Mitchell said Rayfield will likely serve 25 or 26 years before his case is considered by the state for parole.

“It is a travesty when anyone is a victim of a crime but when the crime occurs in your own home, it is especially egregious,” Mitchell said. “We are proud that the jurors of Miller County stepped forward and found him guilty, giving our victim the justice she deserved.”

Rayfield forced his way into the victim’s Beech Street home May 28 to confront her about her relationship with his mother’s estranged husband, according to witness testimony and court documents used to create the following account. HarrisSingleton allegedly struck the victim first and then Rayfield joined in the attack.

Rayfield dragged the victim in a headlock to her bedroom. He threw her against the wall with such force, the victim’s blood covered and streaked the wall. Rayfield sexually assaulted the victim in her own bed.

During Rayfield’s sexual assault of the woman, HarrisSingleton allegedly watched for her estranged husband from the living room, shouted at Rayfield to keep the victim quiet and vandalized the room, Mitchell said.

The victim retrieved a weapon after the assault and attempted to follow Rayfield but was unable to catch him. The victim called for help from a neighbor’s phone because Rayfield took her cellphone when he fled.

Harris-Singleton is scheduled for trial in March. She faces the same charges as Rayfield.