BOSTON -- There was an emotional end to an unusual trial Thursday when Rebecca Harland was convicted of having falsely accused an ex-boyfriend of rape and was sentenced to prison for perjury, Boston TV station WCVB reported.

"Why should my sister get three years in jail for being raped? Why should she? It wasn't for being raped, it was for lying about who did it," said Harland's sister, Joan. "She ain't going to make it. My sister will not make it. She won't. She's a very depressed person. She's not strong enough."

Harland, who prosecutors said was raped in September 1999, was sentenced to three years in prison for knowingly accusing the wrong man. Scott Smith, 42, spent eight months behind bars awaiting trial.

"She's gonna have a baby in five months. That baby's not going to know her, (will) have no time to bond with her," said Harland's sister, Kim.

The baby will be Harland's seventh child, although she has custody of only one son. Her sisters said the other children are spread among family members.

Prosecutors claim Harland's motive for lying was revenge because Smith had broken off their relationship. But Smith, who has a criminal record, said he never had a steady relationship with Harland.

"I'm no angel. I've done time before. And a rapist is called a skinner in jail, and they get treated like s---. And I got treated like s---," Smith said. "Yes, she was raped, but it wasn't by me. So, don't put me on the spot."

Arguing that Harland's crime affects all victims of sexual assault who tell the truth, the prosecution had recommended a less severe 2½ years in the House of Corrections. Harland's lawyer recommended probation.

Suffolk County Prosecutor David Procopio said the state does not think Harland should go to state prison.

"We believe she should do House of Corrections time," he said.

In imposing the stiffer prison sentence, Judge Charles Spurlock said Harland's lie went to the heart of the system, and she will serve every day of her three-year sentence.