Lloyd sentenced to 20 years for rape, sodomy
Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 11, 2007
A Greenville man was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Thursday in Butler County Circuit Court for the 2002 rape and sodomy of a 10-year-old girl.
Robert S. Lloyd, 47, was found guilty in December of raping and sodomizing the daughter of his former girlfriend at his home the night of Nov. 10, 2002.
Circuit Judge Edward McFerrin handed down two 20 years sentences for the charges of rape, 1st degree and sodomy, 1st degree, but allowed the two terms to run concurrently.
Lloyd's attorney Steve Townes presented Circuit Judge Edward McFerrin with a motion to postpone sentencing until a psychiatrist could evaluate Lloyd. Townes said Lloyd had a “history of mental illness” and had been unable to assist counsel, reminding the court he had raised concerns about his client's mental competency throughout the trial process in December.
“He is unable to separate fantasy from reality,” Townes told McFerrin. “He is currently incarcerated in the Butler County Jail and represents no threat to society. Since his incarceration his condition has deteriorated and he is not competent enough to be sentenced today.”
McFerrin asked Lloyd if he understood he was in court to be sentenced.
“No, no I don't,” Lloyd said. “This court has mistreated me. This court has railroaded me.”
District Attorney John Andrews argued that a psychological evaluation of Lloyd could have been conducted prior to sentencing. He said if the matter was that important Townes shouldn't have waited until Wednesday before filing the motion.
“Mr. Lloyd was tried in December,” said Andrews. “If there was such a dire need to have Mr. Lloyd examined it could have been done before today.”
McFerrin denied the motion, agreeing with Andrews.
Lloyd took the witness stand prior to the sentencing. Townes asked his client about his background and his 26 years of service in the United States Army. Lloyd - handcuffed and escorted throughout the proceedings by a sheriff's deputy - said an accident he suffered in the Army had traumatized him and he took approximately 11 pills a day to combat everything from schizophrenia to sleep apnea.
“I can't get along with people,” he said. “Everybody picks on me. Just like they're picking on me right now in this courtroom.”
Lloyd also attacked Andrews, claiming the District Attorney had “set it up” and paid his accuser to charge Lloyd with the crime.
Townes asked McFerrin to consider Lloyd's mental condition and his spotless criminal record prior to his conviction. Townes indicated regardless of the sentence he would file a motion for a new trial.
In a prepared speech before his sentencing, Lloyd again claimed he had been falsely accused and that he had not “touched any child in his life.”
Andrews said he plans to file a petition for restitution, which would force Lloyd to pay for the counseling services provided to the victim - now 14 - by the state.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from officials with the Department of Human Resources, investigating officers, and a pediatrician who examined the victim following the crime. The pediatrician stated that the victim had both anal and vaginal injuries, said Andrews.