Even after his roommates said he boasted about it and a jury found him guilty, Tyrone Smith maintains he did not rob and rape a 25-year-old woman last year in a stairwell at Wahiawa Shopping Center.
Smith, 31, says he was set up and implicated for the crimes because "it is true, all black men look alike."
The victim did not pick Smith out in a police lineup, but later identified him in court as her attacker.
State Circuit Judge Richard Pollack sentenced Smith on Monday to 20 years each for first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping, for a total of 40 years, and 10 years for second-degree robbery.
Pollack is allowing Smith to serve the 10-year term at the same time as the other prison sentences but stacked the 20-year terms back to back because, the judge said, "the nature and circumstances of the offenses indicated that the offenses were committed in a cruel manner with viciousness displayed."
The state had asked Pollack to extend the 20-year terms to life in prison with the opportunity for parole.
Smith’s lawyer said he will appeal the convictions.
The victim testified Smith grabbed her from behind, threatened and restrained her. She said Smith continued to restrain her after he had taken her money, credit cards, jewelry and iPod.
Two women with whom Smith and his girlfriend were living called police after they said Smith told them how he slammed the victim to the ground, put his knee to her head and robbed her. They also said Smith and his girlfriend showed them a bank card with the woman’s name and that they found the woman’s credit card in the trash.
Smith has prior convictions on the mainland for assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful sex with a minor more than three years younger than him.
He told Pollack Monday he did not have sex with the minor as convicted. He said he did have sex with her later and that she gave birth to his child.
Hawaii News Now video: Man claims he was convicted of brutal sex assault, robbery because of his race