Saturday, December 8, 2007

Michigan man loses appeal of rape charge

A Sturgis man has been ordered to start serving a 21 month to 15 year sentence for the 2005 rape of a woman. The Michigan Court Of Appeals overturned a lower court's decision to grant Warren English III a new trail based on a juror being sexually abused as a child.

According to the Kalamazoo Gazette:

English, 23, was sentenced by Judge Paul Stutesman after he was found guilty of raping a 17-year-old woman in May 2005 following an after-prom party at his family's residence. English is the son of Sturgis businessman Warren English Jr.

County Prosecuting Attorney Douglas Fisher appealed the decision of the trial court, which stated that a victim of sexual abuse should be automatically excused from sitting on a criminal sexual conduct jury.

The appeals court called the decision `erroneous'' and ordered English, who had been released on bond pending the appeal, to turn himself in to the county sheriff.

Appellate Judge Helene N. White wrote in a separate opinion that she "would remand for reconsideration under the proper legal standard," but disagreed that a new trial was necessary.

Sturgis rapist won't get new trial

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Do you know where I can find any more information on this case?