LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge sentenced a serial rapist to 146 years to life in prison for raping and robbing women in seven states over the past two decades.

Using a telephone book, Richard Minsky would target women by mumbling a message, such as: "It's me and I'm in a lot of trouble. I am in jail. Listen carefully to my lawyer and do everything he says." He would then tell the women to meet a witness immediately and persuade him not to testify by giving the witness sex and money.

Minsky was convicted in October on 20 counts, including rape and grand theft.

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Eight of the women Minsky targeted were in the courtroom and applauded or wept when Superior Court Judge Marsha N. Revel sentenced him. Minsky, 57, showed no emotion.

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