A convicted rapist has been sentenced to probation and treatment after attacking a woman during a date in his West Village apartment. This decision came from a Manhattan judge on Tuesday, who deemed it a better alternative than imprisonment, despite prosecutors seeking a maximum of four years behind bars for William Hathaway.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Josh Hanshaft expressed uncertainty about whether this was the best course of action, suggesting that perhaps some time in prison might have given Hathaway a clearer sense of the consequences of his actions. He stated, “I hope you don’t hurt others again, as this experience at least gets you help.”
The 33-year-old Hathaway, now living in Miami, was given ten years of probation, ordered to participate in a sex offender treatment program, and required to register as a sex offender after his conviction on April 24.
Hathaway, who hails from West Hartford, Connecticut, met the victim—a 23-year-old woman—through a dating app. Their encounter took place on February 15, 2020, at a private club, after which he took her to his apartment where the assault occurred.
The victim described to the court how Hathaway took away her voice and dignity that night, stating, “He decided to do whatever he wanted.” She has since faced challenges, including struggles with alcohol and thoughts of self-harm, and recounted how her life changed irrevocably from that experience.
Prosecutors detailed that Hathaway and the victim had exchanged messages for several days before their meeting. They started consensual sex, but after the victim asked him to stop multiple times, he continued, which prosecutors firmly identified as rape.
Another woman, Ada Ashley Durkin, emphasized the necessity of acknowledging the seriousness of Hathaway’s actions, noting the cultural significance of the term “date rape.” She insisted that not imposing incarceration would perpetuate outdated beliefs about violence being necessary for a rape classification.
Hathaway, who claimed he intended to have a pleasant evening, went on to apologize to the victim. He also mentioned that since his arrest, he has been reflecting on his behavior and seeking to become a better partner in future relationships.
Though he faced similar charges in the summer of 2020, he was acquitted in a 2023 trial. Previous cases against him, now sealed, could not influence the judge’s ruling.
Hathaway’s defense brought up a point about consent being revoked for a brief moment, advocating against jail time. However, Judge Hanshaft reiterated a strong message, emphasizing the clear boundaries of consent: “When people say no, it’s no. I’m very serious… If someone says no and you don’t stop, it’s rape.”
Hanshaft, a former prosecutor, has been a criminal court judge since his election in 2017. He also developed a music learning app aimed at helping law students. The State Courts Office has not commented on the judge’s decision.
While Hathaway’s probation will be supervised by New York authorities, he holds the option to request relocation out of state. “You caused deep emotional pain,” the judge told him. “Don’t let that happen again.”
