Man sentenced to 15-30 years for Strabane home invasion, rape, strangulation

Richard A. Betonte, 60, was ordered to serve the next 15 to 30 years in prison after a home invasion, rape and strangulation he admitted to committing in April in his North Strabane Township village.
The woman who had been assaulted in her Strabane home did not attend the proceeding Tuesday morning in Washington County Court, but Judy Nemeth, administrator of the district attorney’s office of crime victim’s services, read into the record the woman’s statement.
In her recounting of the horrific crime, she described herself as both “shattered” and “homeless,” staying in a friend’s spare bedroom because she was so traumatized she cannot return to either her residence or her job.
She has been in constant pain and in therapy since the 90-minute attack, in which she suffered an eye injury from being punched. According to her statement, she also sustained neck and back injuries as she was suffocated with a bedsheet. She is being treated for post-traumatic stress, severe anxiety and insomnia.
Judge Gary Gilman sentenced Betonte on the assault charges and burglary in connection with the ordeal that began at 3:30 a.m. April 4. Betonte told the victim he had a gun he would use if she didn’t comply.
Police records state the victim recognized her attacker because she had seen him walking on their street in Strabane. Betonte is a registered sex offender because of a prior rape attempt in North Strabane. He also was found guilty in July 1990 of criminal trespass, indecent assault and unlawful restraint.
During the home invasion, eyeglasses and a lighter were left behind. An optometrist told police they matched Betonte’s lens prescription and frame measurements. In a news release, District Attorney Gene Vittone said police were able to obtain DNA evidence from Betonte, who was wearing blood-stained clothing when apprehended.
In court Tuesday, Betonte’s assistant public defender, Katherine Bacher, said her client has a brain tumor, but when questioned by the judge, Betonte said his condition did not keep him from understanding the proceedings.