Civil Rights Leader Gets 15 Years for Incest, Expected to Die in Jail

The Rev. James Bevel, a civil rights leader who once served as a top aide to Martin Luther King Jr., was sentenced today to 15 years for incest.

It was the harshest sentence that Virginia Circuit Judge Burke McCahill could have given the 71-year-old defendant, who is reportedly dying of pancreatic cancer. Sentencing guidelines called for probation, reports the Associated Press.

However, prosecutor Gigi Lawless said McCahill should have to pay for his crime, which occurred more than a decade ago, when his daughter was a teenager. She testified that he began molesting her when she was 6 years old, and at least four other daughters McCahill had with different women have made similar allegations, according to the news agency.

"We know that the defendant is dying," Lawless said. "Everyone dies. This defendant should die in jail."

If he survives that long, Bevel could expect to be released on parole within about five years.

Earlier coverage:

ABAJournal.com: "Civil Rights Leader Sexually Abused Teen Daughter in 1990s"