Convicted Rapist of North Hills Women Sentenced to 61 to 122 Years

Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Donna Jo McDaniel on Tuesday sentenced Arthur Lamont Henderson to spend 61 to 122 years in prison for raping and robbing two women in Ross Township and another in Hopewell Township in January 2012.

Before imposing the sentence, McDaniel told Henderson she regarded him as a "serial rapist and a sociopath" who has demonstrated, after spending several years in prison for other crimes, that he has "no ability to rehabilitate" and is the "definition of dangerous." The judge said the case was "one of the most horrible" she's ever heard.

Prior to Henderson's sentencing, all three of his victims spoke, each asking the judge to impose the maximum sentence.

One of the women said she carried scars that are "mental, emotional and spiritual." She said Henderson had "taken her will, her sense of security, and her sense of self-worth."

Another victim said the attack "would impact me for the rest of my life" and that she suffers from post traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, and depression. She said she is lives in a paranoid state and "can't even walk my dog without the fear of the next attack."

The third victim said after the attack "she was disgusted with herself, was unable to be in large crowds and could no longer watch TV or even listen to music." But she also said the attack would "not define her" and that she has become "a survivor and a protector."

The last to speak was one of the victim's father, looking directly at Henderson, who refused to make eye contact. 

"You thought you were above the law," the man said. "You are less than a man."

Prior to sentencing, Henderson asked the judge to treat him fairly.

"I pray for anyone that I might have offended," he said. "I pray that you accept [an] apology," he said.

Jurors deliberated for less than four hours before returning a verdict on Feb 11, ending an unusual trial in which Henderson, 39, acted as his own attorney and cross-examined his victims as well as the police officers that arrested him.

The Ross Township rapes were reported Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Woodhawk Club Apartments complex on Johnanna Drive and on Monday, Jan. 9, at the Cascades Apartment complex off Cemetery Lane. 

The Hopewell rape occurred Jan. 7, the same morning as the first attack in Ross.

Our Newsletter subscribers heard this breaking news first.

Check out some of today's other top stories here.