People around the country were taken by surprise this past weekend as news broke that former police officer Daniel Holtzclaw had been released from a 10-year prison sentence that had been handed down in 2015. Holtzclaw was convicted of raping and sexually assaulting several women while on duty in the 13th precinct of Oklahoma City. Over the past few days, numerous questions have been raised regarding his release and whether justice had been served.
On the 28th of August 2018, reports emerged of former Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw being released from prison. After being convicted of rape and sexual assault against multiple African American women, he was initially sentenced to 263 years jail time. Holtzclaw served three and a half years in a state prison before gaining his release.
He was accused of multiple cases of abuse over a two month period in 2014. The victims had claims ranging from sexual assault, to rape and sodomy. Holtzclaw had been found guilty of 18 out of 36 counts that included four counts of rape in the first degree and sexual battery.
- Charges: Four counts of rape in the first degree and sexual battery.
- Sentence: 263 years.
- Time Served: Three and a half years.
Officer Daniel Holtzclaw has been released from jail after being formerly accused of rape and sexual assault against several female victims. Though his appeal was initially denied multiple times in Oklahoma County Court, it was ultimately overturned in the Court of Criminal Appeal, securing his release. Holtzclaw has since become an example of the limitations of the criminal justice system when prosecuting cases of sexual assault, particularly when high profile cases like his are involved. [[1](https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1524838021991303?icid=int.sj-challenge-page.citing-articles.20)]. [[2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Holtzclaw)]. [[3](https://www.holtzclawtrial.com/researchtranscripts)]. Though his victims received little recompense, his case has paved the way for survivors to feel able to speak out and for the criminal justice system to increase its accountability and sensitivity to victims of sexual assault. Ultimately, this is a victory for survivors in the fight for justice.