MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WCMH) – A convicted sex offender in Alabama asked a judge if he could be castrated instead of serving his full prison sentence.
Stephen Bunyard appeared in a Madison County, Alabama, court room after he violated parole from a 2007 rape case. Instead of serving the full term of his punishment, Bunyard asked the judge if he could be castrated instead.
“Let him serve 10 years of his 30 year sentence and then as a condition of his release have the castration performed,” Larry Marsili, Bunyard’s attorney told WAAY.
Bunyard has also been recently accused of raping a 79-year-old woman.
The judge denied Bunyard’s request and sentenced him to the full 30 years.
“His request for castration, while unusual, it was not just an attempt to get out of trouble or to get out scot-free,” Marsili added. “Because of his age and his overall health is not excellent. He knew, or I believe in his view, 15 year consecutive sentences would have essentially amounted to a life sentence for him anyway.”
If Bunyard is convicted on the new rape charge, he faces a sentence of life without parole.