Ex-cop convicted of raping stepdaughter uses coronavirus crisis in bid to seek release

A former Alabama police lieutenant convicted of raping his stepdaughter wants a judge to release him because his sentencing hearing has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

An attorney for Pete Williston, a former cop in Birmingham convicted of first-degree rape, filed a motion Monday seeking his release on bond since his original sentencing date of April 3 has been postponed until at least April 16 due to court closures, AL.com reports.

In the motion, Scott Harwell said his client would live with his wife and two children in Kimberly, where the disgraced lawman would agree to house arrest and electronic monitoring.

“Because of his current confinement and his prior position as a police officer, [Williston] is in solitary confinement and in a cell for 23 hours a day,” Harwell wrote.

Harwell added that he had spoken to his client’s mother, who said Williston, 50, was in “good mental spirits” but would further improve if he could return home until being sentenced.

“Although counsel is not a psychologist, in the two lengthy conversations counsel had with the defendant, he did not appear to be a risk to harm himself,” the motion continued.

Jurors convicted the 17-year department vet in February after deliberating for just 30 minutes, AL.com reported.

Defense attorneys insisted that because Williston’s daughter was 16 at the time, the sex acts were consensual. But prosecutors said the girl was just 14 and couldn’t provide consent.

Williston’s stepdaughter testified at trial that her stepdad engaged in multiple sex acts with her up to three times a week between 2008 and 2011, the outlet reports.

A judge had not yet ruled on Harwell’s motion as of Monday. A message seeking comment from the attorney was not immediately returned Tuesday.

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