"A man who raped a San Mateo woman in 1989 and slit her throat from ear to ear was sentenced Friday to eleven years to life in prison nearly five years after he was found by police using DNA technology, prosecutors said. John Harris, Jr., a 59-year-old resident of Manteca, was at large for more than 30 years until investigators were able to link DNA left at the scene of the crime with DNA he left on an envelope he licked and sealed."
"Harris initially pleaded not guilty but later pleaded guilty to all charges open meaning there were no sentencing limitations at a hearing in September that would have assigned his case to a jury trial, prosecutors said. He pleaded no contest to a charge of attempted murder with enhancements for premeditation and deliberation, use of a knife and infliction of great bodily injury and a charge of aggravated mayhem with enhancements for use of a knife, prosecutors said."
"At a hearing Oct. 3, the victim asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence on Harris, which San Mateo County Superior Court Judge Sean Dabel agreed to do on the grounds that Harris's acts were committed for sexual gratification or compulsion, prosecutors said. Wagstaffe added that the victim gave a very strong statement at the hearing. She is a very strong person who has survived this and is a wonderful example of not letting a rapist take advantage of her, Wagstaffe said."
John Harris Jr., 59, received an eleven-years-to-life sentence for raping and slitting a San Mateo woman's throat in 1989. Investigators linked DNA from the crime scene to DNA on an envelope Harris licked, ending more than 30 years at large. Harris initially pleaded not guilty but later pleaded guilty to all charges open and no contest to attempted murder and aggravated mayhem with enhancements for premeditation, use of a knife, and great bodily injury. The victim requested the maximum sentence, the judge imposed it citing sexual gratification or compulsion, and Harris must register as a sex offender for life.
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