Prosecutor: Tyson Shouldn’t Be Free on Appeal

Mike Tyson should not remain free during his appeal if he is sentenced to prison Thursday for raping a beauty pageant contestant, the man who prosecuted the former heavyweight champion said Tuesday in Indianapolis.

“There’s no excuse to have him out where he could do that again,” Greg Garrison said.

Tyson was convicted Feb. 10 of luring Desiree Washington of Coventry, R.I., to his Indianapolis hotel room last July, then sexually assaulting her while she pleaded with him to stop. Washington, 19, was a contestant in the Miss Black America pageant.

Marion Superior Court Judge Patricia Gifford will sentence Tyson after listening to arguments from attorneys and possibly some witnesses. She also will view pre-sentence reports from the Marion County Probation Department and a statement from Washington.