By CAROLINE CARMICHAEL / Staff Writer

Kevin Wayne Hill, 38, was sentenced to life in prison during a 19th Judicial Circuit court sentencing on Nov. 9 for sex crimes he was convicted of by jury on Sept. 27.

Hill is sentenced to consecutively serve 99 years for rape, 99 years for sodomy, 50 years for sexual abuse and 50 years for incest against his daughter, who is a minor.

Prior convictions, including burglary, theft and failure to appear, comply or pay, increased the severity of Hill’s sentencing.

“It’s not safe for you to be out,” Circuit Judge Bill Lewis told Hill, following his sentencing.

Prior to his sentencing, Hill tried to bargain for postponement of his sentencing until the victim, who was not present, could arrive to retract her testimony.

Lewis explained to Hill that these requests were irrelevant to sentencing, although Hill could later file an appeal.

The crimes for which Hill was being sentenced, Lewis said, were those that “the people of Chilton County,” as represented by the jury, found Hill guilty of committing.

According to Chief Deputy District Attorney C. J. Robinson, who represented the state’s prosecution, Hill will legally be eligible for a parole hearing after serving 15 years in prison.

However, Robinson said, “just because he gets a hearing, doesn’t mean he will be granted parole.”

Because Hill’s sentences are consecutive, Robinson said even if Hill were allowed parole on one charge, he would be required to serve another 15 years before again becoming eligible for a parole hearing.

“We are very pleased that this sexual predator should never be in the free world again to hurt another child,” Robinson said. “The state does mandate a parole hearing after 15 years, and just because he’s required to have a hearing, it’s not automatically granted. We hope the Parole Board will require him to serve every day.”