Yesterday, a New Hampshire judge sentenced a Dartmouth alumnus to 20 to 40 years in prison for sexually assaulting a female student on the roof of Theta Delta Chi fraternity in April 2022.
A jury found Kyle Clampitt ’20 guilty of 12 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault in January but acquitted him on two counts of second-degree assault involving strangulation. Clampitt — who has been held in custody without bail at the Grafton County House of Corrections since the Jan. 31 verdict — will be transferred to the state prison for his sentence, according to Grafton County prosecutor Marcie Hornick.
During the hearing, the woman presented an impact statement to the court and detailed the physical and emotional pain she experienced during and after the assault, at times directly addressing Clampitt.
“Now a senior at Dartmouth, I’m no longer scared,” she said. “I’ve had to tell myself that so many times when I’ve woken up from nightmares of Kyle. But now, standing here today, I want to look him in the eye and say it again, that you do not scare me.”
During the sentencing, the defense called Clampitt’s parents and former lacrosse coach to present statements asking for leniency.
The jail time is two consecutive 10 to 20 year sentences for felonious sexual assault charges. Clampitt will receive an assessment for the sexual offender treatment program at the state prison, and if treatment is determined to be appropriate, will receive three years suspended from the second 10 to 20 year sentence upon completion of the program. He will also be required to register as a sex offender upon release and pay $10,000 in restitution to the victim for counseling fees.
Prior to the hearing, prosecutors requested three consecutive sentences of 10 to 20 years in their sentencing memorandum, with five years suspended if Clampitt completes a sexual offender program in prison. Clampitt’s lawyers had requested an eight to 20 year sentence, with three years suspended once Clampitt completes a sexual offender program.
Assistant county attorney Amanda Jacobson, who prosecuted the case, called for the Superior Court to send a “strong message” to Clampitt and the community that Clampitt’s behavior “will not be tolerated,” pointing out that Clampitt was a 24 year-old alumnus of the College at the time of the assault, while the woman was an 18 year-old freshman.
Clampitt did not show visible emotion during the prosecution’s statements until his parents and former sports director gave statements. His attorneys asked Superior Court judge Jonathan Frizzell to consider the effects that a longer sentence could have on Clampitt’s life after his release, mentioning the deaths of family members who would serve as his post-release support system, and fewer opportunities for rehabilitation beyond a prison sentence.
Clampitt also took the stand and addressed the court. He said it has “never been [his] intention to cause harm to anyone” and apologized that “someone has felt this to be the case.”
“These charges do not accurately represent who I was, who I am and who I ever will be,” Clampitt said. “And I’m going to fight for the rest of my life to make sure that is proven true.”
Before handing down the sentences, Frizzell praised the woman for showing an “extreme degree of courage” during the trial. He added that he also considered 43 letters of support that Clampitt received from friends and family members.
The defense will have the opportunity to appeal Clampitt’s convictions, while both the defense and prosecution can file a request for judges of the Superior Court to review the sentences.
Hornick said the prosecution currently does not plan to request a review of the sentence. Clampitt’s lawyers declined to comment. A College spokesperson declined to comment.
Kelsey Wang is a reporter and editor for The Dartmouth from the greater Seattle area, majoring in history and government. Outside of The D, she likes to crochet, do jigsaw puzzles and paint.
