Alleged Rapist in Attack of Journalism Student Found Mentally Fit For Trial

The man charged with the rape and torture of a Columbia Graduate School of Journalism student has been declared mentally fit to stand trial, the New York Times reported.

Defendant Robert Williams is facing trial on charges of kidnapping, arson, attempted murder, and rape in the attack on a 23-year-old student last April. Williams’ lawyer, Arnold Levine, Law ’62, had his client psychologically reevaluated after a court appointed psychiatrist declared that the ex-con was fit to stand trial in September, but said in court yesterday that “as of now, I have no basis on which to contest the findings” of either expert.

In the brutal attack last April, Williams allegedly followed the woman into her Hamilton Heights apartment and proceeded to rape and torture her for 19 hours, slitting her eyelids and tying her up with computer cables before setting her apartment on fire and fleeing. The woman, who was scheduled to graduate from Columbia Journalism School last May, escaped the flames and ran to her neighbors for help.

In 1994 and in 1996, Williams was picked up for assault. In 1997, he served eight years in prison for attempted murder after shooting a man in the back four times.

According to the Times, Levine said in court that Williams had a history of mental illness and that his instinct was that Williams was unfit to stand trial, though the expert did not support his claim. He also added that correctional officers had to use force to get his client to court on Wednesday. Justice Carol Berkman of the State Supreme Court who is presiding over the case said that she was “going to confirm the finding of fitness,” but that Williams could give new evidence of his mental state in the future if he wished.
The reporter of this article can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com.