HIV case draws 3-year sentence

Kim Smith

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2001 | 9:35 a.m.

District Judge Sally Loehrer sentenced a Las Vegas man to three years in prison for knowingly exposing another man to the AIDS virus, but the judge said that if he doesn't get the proper treatment in prison, she will reconsider his sentence.

Authorities allege William Freeman, 43, knowing he was infected with HIV, engaged in unprotected sex acts with another man.

Freeman entered into a plea agreement and admitted last month that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him. Loehrer could have given him probation or as much as five years in prison.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Brown argued that Freeman should get the maximum sentence, noting he has been arrested 20 times in the past and has three felony and two misdemeanor convictions.

Brown said Freeman clearly doesn't care about the lives of others, as evidenced by the current case, and she said he has twice engaged in high speed chases with police officers.

Brown called Freeman a "menace" who was "playing the equivalent of viral Russian roulette with the life of the victim."

Defense attorney James "Bucky" Buchanan, who said the victim knew Freeman was HIV-positive, argued for probation, saying his client's condition will worsen in prison.

Freeman said that he moved to Las Vegas from California in an attempt to stay away from drugs.

"I'm totally sorry your honor," Freeman said. "I was not trying to be no menace to no one."

Loehrer said that she would reconsider the sentence if she learns Freeman isn't receiving the drugs he needs in prison.

So far, the 32-year-old victim in the case has tested negative for the disease.

Freeman will be eligible for parole after serving one year.