A convicted rapist had nasty words for his victim, an attorney and a county judge at a sentencing hearing Thursday morning.

Brett M. Peters was belligerent during the hourlong hearing, pointing fingers and screaming at county Judge David Ashworth and others in the room.

"You're not God," Peters yelled at Ashworth. "God wore white; you wear black.

"I will not forgive you for what you've done to me."

The judge responded by sending Peters to state prison for 13 1/2 to 32 years for the 2010 rape of an Ephrata woman.

But Peters, 56, wasn't about to go upstate without delivering a few parting shots.

He first dismissed his attorney before launching insults at the judge and at the woman he was convicted of assaulting.

Ephrata police initially charged Peters with rape and later with stalking and intimidating the woman. A jury convicted him in January.

"I'm innocent. I will always be innocent, so help me God," Peters said in court. "This court system is very racist and very prejudiced."

Ashworth snapped at the prisoner several times.

"I don't care if you're black, white or purple. This court is colorblind," the judge said.

During sentencing, Ashworth pointed to Peters' criminal past as a factor in the penalty. Peters was convicted of larceny in 1973 and has been in and out of court ever since.

"This is your 16th time before the court since 1973," Ashworth told him.

Ashworth also said Peters shows no sign of making positive changes in his life.

"Rehabilitation is not an option in this case," Ashworth said. "Mr. Peters is a dangerous individual and has exhibited predatory behavior. Such attitude and behavior cannot be tolerated."

Peters' daughter said there is a different side of her father not seen in the court.

"In your eyes, he may be a horrible person," Tamara Peters told Ashworth. "But to his children and grandchildren, he's an irreplaceable figure."

She said that her father helped her stay off the street by encouraging her to play sports and other activities.

However, Brett Peters even shushed his own daughter, interrupting her as she addressed the judge.

"I don't want her crying in front of you," Peters told the judge, before speaking to his daughter. "I'm innocent. I love you. Go back there and sit down."

He also tried to disrupt the rape victim, but Ashworth wouldn't allow it. The woman told Ashworth that she had to move from her apartment after the incident.

"I just couldn't get over that fear. I'm always looking over my shoulder," she said. "I'd like to see him get what he deserves."

Assistant District Attorney Karen Mansfield called Peters controlling and manipulative.

"He decided to take what he wanted," the prosecutor said. "He showed her how it was going to be."

After the hearing, Ashworth asked deputy sheriffs to place Peters in a cell by himself in order to protect other prisoners.

bhambright@lnpnews.com