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Prosecutor opposes parole of rapist

Man attacked girl, 9, for three years and paid her to be silent

WARREN — Trumbull County Prosecutor Dennis Watkins’ Office is opposing parole of man convicted of repeatedly raping a young girl and then giving her $2 or $3 after each assault so she would not tell on him.

Roy Griffith Jr., 55, was convicted in 2001 on 20 attacks or attempted attacks over a three-year period on the girl and sentenced to 18 years to life in prison, making his parole hearing in December the first chance at him being set free.

According to a letter to the state’s parole board, Griffith initially denied the allegations, but later admitted to police to having sex with the girl “numerous occasions over a number of years,” the letter states.

The girl told police Griffith began raping her when she was 9 years old. The abuse was reported in October 2000 when the girl was 12.

Griffith claimed to police the girl “started it all by coming onto him,” the letter states.

“Assuming his incredulous claims are true, at no point did the defendant do the right thing for almost any person … and stop the child from such behavior,” Trumbull County Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Becker wrote. “Instead, he paid her for it.”

Griffith also tried to blame his actions on his heavy drinking, the letter states.

He was found guilty Oct. 15, 2001, and sentenced eight days later. He had turned down a plea that would have imprisoned him for 15 years.

“This office is aware of no redeeming quality, programming or accomplishments that would warrant his release from prison at this time,” the letter states.

An attorney for Griffith, who is jailed at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut, could not be located.

rselak@tribtoday.com

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