Huron Man Gets Two 15 Prison Terms For Rape

A Huron man was sentenced to two 15 year prison terms for two charges of fourth degree rape Tuesday. 42-year-old Edward Darity was found guilty by a jury January 12th of raping a 15-year old girl. Darity was, at the time, the boyfriend of the girl’s birth mother. During sentencing Darity’s lawyer Carmen Means told Judge Jon Erickson that very different stories were presented during her client’s trial and that the victim was close to the age of consent. She admitted that Darity has a criminal history but that it was in his past. Beadle County Deputy States Attorney Jeff Banks called the victims grandfather to the witness stand to present a victim impact statement on behalf of the family. Bill Krech says the family is not here for revenge against Darity but for protection of possible future victims of Darity. Krech told the court Darity has done a good job of character assassination to himself. When asked by Banks if the victim has been been impacted what happened Krech says he’s seen changes in his granddaughter that will require counselling. Krech says it’s clear Darity was preying on the victim, which included giving alcohol to the girl. Beadle County States Attorney Mike Moore says the January trial was the second trial for Darity on the charges. The first trial ended in a hung jury and Moore made the decision to try the case again, which ended with the guilty verdict.  The 15-year prison terms will run at the same time.