A Detroit man has been handed a sentence of up to 100 years following a Supreme Court-ordered retrial over his 2017 crimes of kidnapping and assault, as per court documents and attorney statements. Robert Yarbrough, aged 58, received the heavy sentence on Monday after a previous conviction was put into question due to a technicality in jury selection, The Detroit News reported.
In December 2017, Yarbrough kidnapped a woman, removed her phone's battery to cut off communication, then assaulted and tortured her in an abandoned house over a 28-hour period. Investigators said, the victim managed to escape and get help after Yarbrough momentarily left the premises. A sexual assault kit used afterward matched Yarbrough's DNA, leading to his initial conviction on six felony charges, including three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, in December 2018, FOX 2 Detroit reported.
However, a procedural error by the judge during the 2018 trial jury selection led the Michigan Supreme Court to order a new trial last July. Following the court's order, Yarbrough's resentencing includes 50-100 years for each of the counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, 50-100 years for kidnapping, 25-50 years for assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and 5-15 years for felonious assault, according to details shared by BNN Breaking.
"This man’s crimes caused deep emotional wounds beyond the assault, and I am grateful for the victim’s courage that ultimately allowed him to be held accountable," Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, in a statement echoed by all three sources covering the sentencing. There has been no immediate response from Yarbrough's lawyer, Michael McCarthy, regarding the new sentencing as of the latest reports, The Detroit News said.
The case has since brought to light the importance of adherence to legal procedures during trials, demonstrating the impact of the judicial system's rigor on the outcomes of serious criminal cases. It also underscores the ongoing struggles of victims who persevere through the judicial process, seeking justice in the wake of traumatic crimes. As Yarbrough now faces a lengthy prison term, the attorney general's acknowledgment of the victim's bravery serves as a stark reminder of the personal battles fought in the shadows of public legal proceedings.
