Watch CBS News

'NorCal Rapist' Roy Waller Sentenced To 897 Years In Prison

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - Convicted serial rapist Roy Waller, also known as the "NorCal Rapist," has been sentenced to 459 years plus 438 years to life in prison. That's a total of 897 years behind bars – roughly 100 years for each of his known victims.

Waller was sentenced in a Sacramento courtroom Friday. He was convicted on November 18 of 46 criminal counts stemming from nine rape incidents between 1991 and 2006. The last attacks happened in Sacramento.

At the hearing, he did not make contact with his victims, some of whom were present in the courtroom to issue statements.

"He should experience the barbaric sense of time around him," one victim, Nicole Earnest-Payte, said. "Knowing that this is his fate will set me free for good."

For approximately 29 years, Waller's victims have waited for this day, finally seeing their rapist sentenced to life in prison.

Now, they're bringing to light how they see the justice system treating rape victims.

Wearing an orange jumpsuit, white face mask and shackles, Waller remained emotionless in court, avoiding all eye contact.

"I wish he had looked at me even one time," Earnest-Payte said.

She was Waller's first victim in 1991 and calls this day a win for the 9 women he terrorized.

She said rape victims should not be told to stay silent or be known only as a "Jane Doe."

"We are anonymized, we are told we should hide our faces," she said. "I heard from the defense attorney that I should not speak to the media, that I should be embarrassed."

Waller's Defense Attorney Joe Farina responded to that outside court.

"It's embarrassing allegations, whether she agrees with it or not, the case is over and there's not much to say and it's a difficult case," he said.

More from CBS Sacramento:

Farina also said the evidence was too much to prove his clients' innocence. Prosecutors say Waller's DNA was found at all but one of the crime scenes.

Waller's accusers said he broke into homes late at night or forced victims to withdraw money from ATMs. They said he then bound them and assaulted them repeatedly.

He was linked to the crimes through DNA and genetic genealogy, the same technique investigators used to identify the Golden State Killer. Waller had pleaded not guilty to the charges back in January but Judge Burger-Plavan ruled there was enough evidence presented in the preliminary hearing to proceed with a trial.

"Mr. Waller deserves every single second that the judge gave him today," said Prosecutor Keith Hill.

Waller's victims called the day the greatest relief to know they no longer have to live in fear.

"I hope he lives a very, very long life," Earnest-Payte said.

Waller maintains his innocence and his lawyer plans to appeal.

After serving 25 years, he is eligible for elder parole, but the prosecution is hoping the judge doesn't see him as that candidate.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.