Rape Conviction Earns Post Falls Man 15-Year Term

A 37-year-old Post Falls man convicted of raping a North Idaho College student was sentenced Thursday to 15 years in prison.

First District Judge James Judd ordered Kelly J. Wang to serve at least three years of the sentence before he becomes eligible for parole. Judd then gave Wang a chance to earn his freedom after six months by placing him into a boot-camp-style prison at Cottonwood.

Wang will be evaluated after completing the program, and could be released on probation if he receives a favorable recommendation.

“I have apologized to the best of my ability,” Wang said. “I think 15 years is a little steep.”

Judd disagreed, saying that Wang’s service in the Gulf War and record of only minor driving offenses worked in his favor.

“I think considering it could have been a life sentence it is reasonable,” Judd said.

A Kootenai County jury convicted Wang last spring of attacking a 26-year-old woman at her off-campus apartment. The same jury could not reach a verdict on a second rape charge involving a 40-year-old college student, voting nine to three in favor of conviction.

“If I hurt anybody, I’m sorry,” Wang said Thursday.

Deputy prosecutor Eric Van Orden said Wang has dismissed both allegations as “rough sex.” Both women had been involved in relationships with Wang before he allegedly barged into their apartments and attacked them.

Van Orden accused Wang of grooming his victims and said his apology implied he did nothing wrong.

“He’s never taken responsibility, and it seems to me that he’s tried to talk his way out of all of this,” Van Orden said.