William Todd Murell, 58, of Asheville was sentenced to 20 years for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in his home for 10 days in February 2020.
Man Convicted of Rape and Assault After 10-Day Abuse
The Buncombe County jury convicted Murell of first-degree rape and felony assault inflicting serious bodily damage but acquitted him of kidnapping.
Murrell met the mother of three and a former alcoholic police officer at a substance abuse group. The woman said that Murrell gave her alcohol and Trazodone, dragged her by her arms and legs, kicked her in the head, and raped her for 10 days.
The victim’s traumatic brain injury, arm and leg bruises, and back and chest cigarette burns were exhibited in court images. Her toxicology showed barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
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Man Abused Woman, Convicted, Appealed
The victim was abused without help despite 911 calls. Although Asheville police checked Murell’s residence, the victim did not request help or leave. On February 11, friends and family helped the woman escape. She was treated at Pardee Hospital for injuries and a 0.335% lethal blood alcohol level.
Murell, who faces rape and kidnapping accusations in a separate March 2020 case, was surprised by the jury’s verdict but accepted his sentence without regret. On November 21, Murell’s lawyers appealed. The second case includes Murell kidnapping and sexually assaulting a woman at his house on March 4, 2020. She fled and called 911 two days later.