John M. Paris, 42, of Sunset Street, Pittsfield, MA, was found guilty of aggravated rape after a 5 day trial and six hours of deliberation for breaking into his girlfriend's home October 23, 2005 to sexually assault her. Other charges Paris was found guilty on include kidnapping, breaking and entering, assault.
The Berkshire Eagle's Man is guilty of rape has more:
Robert W. Kinzer III argued that Paris was a jealous, obsessed lover who became fixated on the notion that his girlfriend was cheating on him. He said Paris and the woman had several violent encounters in which Paris confronted her about the other men in her life. Paris also was a drug addict and an alcoholic, Kinzer said, and shared a bond of substance abuse with his girlfriend.
Timothy J. Shugrue, Paris' defense attorney, acknowledged that susbtance abuse was a part of the relationship, but said that despite the dysfunction and "extreme sexual attraction," the encounter between the girlfriend and Paris was consensual.
The jury was given the case yesterday at 11 AM. It returned at 5 PM so they could hear instructions on what exactly is the legal definition of aggravted rape, which they found Paris guilty of a half-hour later.
Shortly before the jury returned, Paris hugged a half-dozen family members and supporters. After the verdict was read, he sobbed, turned to the group and said, "Take care of my boy." He was led from the courtroom in handcuffs.
Ford scheduled the sentencing hearing for Wednesday at 2 p.m., when Shugrue said he will submit a written motion asking Ford to dismiss the aggravated rape charge, which carries the potential for a life sentence in prison.
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