HIV law results in life sentence for Oklahoma man

An Oklahoma law enacted to help prevent law enforcement officers from being exposed to HIV, hepatitis, and other diseases was used to sentence a convicted rapist to life in prison for spitting on a police officer. A jury unanimously recommended that the man, John C. Marquez, receive a life sentence for spitting on police officer Charles Gadd and then attempting to bite him when Gadd tried to prevent him from spitting a second time. The prosecution in the case had asked for a 25-year sentence; Marquez's attorneys requested a four-year prison term. Both Marquez and Gadd have tested negative for any communicable diseases. Marquez's attorney, Jason Serner, said he plans to appeal the sentence.