Rapist denied reduction of 74-year sentence

A Camden man who had entered into a plea deal after admitting that he molested and impregnated a teenager was denied a reduction of his 74-year sentence yesterday.

Kareem Ali Jr., 35, asked to plead guilty in July 2008 after a jury was seated, when Superior Court Judge Stephen M. Holden ruled that prosecutors could use fetal tissue and expert testimony to prove that Ali had raped the girl and forced her to have an abortion.

Ali, who was charged with 14 counts, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated sexual assault. He thought he would serve less than 20 years, he later wrote in a letter to Holden.

In Superior Court yesterday, the tearful victim sat with relatives and smiled when Holden looked at her and explained that he gave Ali the 74-year sentence based in part on her life expectancy. The judge wanted the victim to know that Ali could never harm her again, he said.

The woman raised her arms in the air as the judge affirmed the sentence and Ali was returned to jail.

Attorney Ralph Kramer, who did not represent Ali at sentencing, argued yesterday that Ali had not been properly informed that he would have to serve 85 percent of his sentence before he would be eligible for parole.

Whether Ali showed remorse should not have been a factor in his sentencing, Kramer said. In addition, he said, the judge inappropriately calculated the sentence using the victim's life expectancy and failed to weigh mitigating circumstances or to obtain information about Ali's character.

Assistant Camden County Prosecutor Mary Ellen Murphy responded that Ali signed paperwork in 2008 informing him that he would be required to serve at least 85 percent of a possible 20-year-to-life sentence. When he appeared before Holden, she said, Ali said he had no questions and acknowledged that his attorney had reviewed the information.

The judge told Kramer yesterday that he never considered mitigating circumstances because there were none and that, despite asking Ali three times whether he had anything to say, the defendant declined to speak at sentencing.

Ali appeared to have no remorse, Holden said, because he told authorities before sentencing that the assault had been the victim's fault for allegedly jumping on his bed and enticing him on numerous occasions to have sex. But that was not a factor in his sentencing, Holden said.

Ali initially was charged with molesting the victim dozens of times when she was between 11 and 15. Authorities said Ali's mother had arranged the abortion.