CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The 29-year-old man charged with robbing and sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman broke down in tears Monday at his arraignment.
William Harrison fell to the ground before Judge Sebastian Lucido when he was told he could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman in her condo.
Recommended Videos
Harrison is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, home invasion and receiving and concealing stolen property.
Harrison apologized through tears.
"I'm just so sorry, for what it's worth. I know my words aren't good enough. I'm sorry," he said. "I don't know what I was thinking, sir."
Clinton Township police said Harrison is accused of getting into the victim's Heritage Estates condo the evening of Sept. 13 through an unlocked patio door, put a towel over the woman's head and forced her to open a safe where she kept her jewelry.
Harrison is accused of taking jewelry, a laptop and sexually assaulting the woman before leaving, police said.
Harrison was arrested last week when police said he was found to have the victim's jewelry. Police said the attack appears to be random.
Lt. Dave Dunn described to the court what it was like to tell the victim that her suspected attacker had been caught.
"It was really good to hear her voice," he said. "She was very happy with everything that took place. She was ecstatic."
Harrison has a criminal record of break-in convictions.