A Lancaster man will serve up to six years in prison for entering a Manheim Township woman’s home, sexually assaulting her, and threatening to kill her.
A Lancaster County jury convicted 45-year-old Robert U. Copeland on Wednesday of indecent assault, indecent exposure, and related counts regarding the early-morning, Jan. 12 incident.
Assistant District Attorney Fritz Haverstick presented evidence of how Copeland entered the woman’s home by breaking a screen and opening a window, and then assaulted her.
Copeland told the woman, “I could kill you,” while menacing her with the screwdriver, according to testimony.
On Thursday morning, Lancaster County President Judge Dennis Reinaker jailed Copeland for 2½ to 6 years.
The jury deliberated for about two hours over two days, following the two-day trial, before deciding the case Wednesday morning.
The victim, a former acquaintance of Copeland, testified of the assault. Copeland also took the stand.
In all, Copeland was convicted of indecent assault, indecent exposure, criminal trespass and simple assault.
Manheim Township police Officer John Donnelly filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright