Missouri Man Sentenced to Life for Attempted Student Rape

A judge has sentenced a man to life in prison for attempting to rape a Missouri State University student.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that 55-year-old Stephen Goodwin was sentenced Friday for a first-degree attempted rape conviction. Goodwin entered an Alford plea, which allows defendants to acknowledge there is enough evidence to convict them without admitting to committing the crime.

The student victim says she was walking home from campus Feb. 10, 2016, when Goodwin came up behind her and tried to rape her. She says Goodwin fled when a bystander arrived at the scene.

Prosecutors say Goodwin was named in several police reports involving inappropriate sexual activity before the attack. The other incidents didn't result in charges.

The woman says it has been frustrating waiting more than two years for the case to finish.