(Original Post 5-9-08)
A Brooklyn Park man was arrested after a DNA hit linked him to the kidnapping and rape of a woman from a Minneapolis nightclub last summer. Duncan Nyanaro Osoro, 24, has been charged with 1st degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday.
The woman told police she was at the Karma nightclub on August 26, 2007 in Minneapolis when a friend became sick and threw up after only two drinks at a nightclub. This friend had never became sick after drinking before.
Between 2 & 10 AM, the victim was unconscious in a grassy area near I-94. When she came to, blood was on her white shirt, hands and knees, and a subsequent sexual assault exam at the Hennepin County Medical Center revealed the rape. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s DNA database matched osoro to the evidence at the scene.
(1-7-11 Acquittal) After two trials, Osoro was acquitted of kidnapping and rape charges against him. The final acquittal came December 23 after a three week trial and an hour of deliberation. Osoro was held in jail for 16 months, according to his attorney, Joseph Fru, who suspects race played a role. Despite the acquittal, Hennipin County Prosecutor Mike Freeman maintained the peosecution was just. "The jury made its decision, we believe in the system, and we accept the decision. We're moving forward."
Showing posts with label acquitted. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acquitted. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Friday, June 13, 2008
RC Priest accused of touching man in hot tub - gets off in all senses of the word
(Original post 6-12-08)
Roman Catholic priest Rev. Frank Murd, 66, is on trial for allegedly touching a 26 year old man in a hot tub at a YMCA at a Toledo, OH suburb.
Testifying in the sexual imposition trial of the Rev. Frank Murd, the victim said the priest joined him in the hot tub about 9:30 p.m. March 18 and began fondling him.The man says he then started to float on his back, which is when Murd started to masturbate the man.
The man said he was shocked so he let it go on for 45 seconds to a minute..The man told Judge James Jensen, who is hearing the case in lieu of a jury, that he was offended by the unsolicited act and informed Father Murd that it was inappropriate. He said the incident lasted no more than a minute."I felt like I had been violated," the victim said.
Murd admitted touching the other man inappropriately, but felt like it had been an accident.
"As I was getting out, I did touch him... by accident and I did apologize to him."
Prosecutors claimed that "[Murd] used the JCC as a playground, a hunting ground to look for his next victim," while the defense claimed that Murd was charged only after the victim found out he was a priest. The bench trial will continue until Friday.
Murd, formarly pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Maumee, resigned after the victim reported the incident to the Sylvania Township police. Murd faces 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for the 3rd degree misdemeanor charge.
(Update 6-13-08) Murd is acquitted of all charges by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Jensen.
Roman Catholic priest Rev. Frank Murd, 66, is on trial for allegedly touching a 26 year old man in a hot tub at a YMCA at a Toledo, OH suburb.
Testifying in the sexual imposition trial of the Rev. Frank Murd, the victim said the priest joined him in the hot tub about 9:30 p.m. March 18 and began fondling him.The man says he then started to float on his back, which is when Murd started to masturbate the man.
The man said he was shocked so he let it go on for 45 seconds to a minute..The man told Judge James Jensen, who is hearing the case in lieu of a jury, that he was offended by the unsolicited act and informed Father Murd that it was inappropriate. He said the incident lasted no more than a minute."I felt like I had been violated," the victim said.
Murd admitted touching the other man inappropriately, but felt like it had been an accident.
"As I was getting out, I did touch him... by accident and I did apologize to him."
Prosecutors claimed that "[Murd] used the JCC as a playground, a hunting ground to look for his next victim," while the defense claimed that Murd was charged only after the victim found out he was a priest. The bench trial will continue until Friday.
Murd, formarly pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Maumee, resigned after the victim reported the incident to the Sylvania Township police. Murd faces 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for the 3rd degree misdemeanor charge.
(Update 6-13-08) Murd is acquitted of all charges by Lucas County Common Pleas Judge James Jensen.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Boston lawyer acquitted on two rape charges; third rape charge dropped by prosecutors in Miami
A Boston lawyer, named in 2001 on People magazine’s list of America’s "Most Eligible Bachelors," and even trying out for ABC's show "The Bachelor," is facing charges for grooming young women he "dated" for rape.
Zerola overcame a poor childhood, where he was shifted from foster home to foster home until finally being adopted by a suburban Boston lawyer. He attended Suffolk University, where he graduated with a law degree and public comminications degree.
Trial of Hub's Most Eligible Bachelor on Rape Charges to Start Tomorrow, from the Boston Herald, has more.
"He was bright and articulate," said John E. Fenton Jr., one of Zerola’s law professors. "I don’t remember what he spoke about, but I can tell you he gave an excellent speech."
He worked as a state prosecutor on child abuse and domestic violence cases and became
well-known in philanthropic circles as an advocate for foster children. He started a volunteer group that raised money to buy clothing and gifts for foster kids. He was regularly mentioned in newspaper gossip columns and fetched an $800 bid in a charity dating auction. In 2001, at age 29, Zerola was named one of People’s 50 most eligible bachelors.
In 2000, Zerola opened his own practice, where his clients included drug dealers, and ironically, rape defendants - something he is currently.
In court, he was known for his well-tailored suits, flashy style and the frequent compliments he paid female court employees.
"It’s a rare instance that you see a kid who has been through as many foster family situations as Gary who was able to rise above all of that, not to get into trouble as a kid, not to turn to substance abuse, but to go to college and then to go on and become a lawyer," said Michael Natola, a Boston defense attorney who is a close friend.
Zerola's MO, according to prosecutoirs, is to meet women in bars, charm them, get them back into his apartment or hotel room, then rape them. He stands trail for raping 2 19 year old Massachusetts women back in 2004 and 2006 tomorrow, and then he is scheduled to face charges in Florida for a 3rd sexual assault.
In the 2006 case, he allegedly took the woman shopping at Neiman Marcus, where he bought her a $700 dress and $250 shoes before trying to rape her in his Boston apartment. "He spent some time grooming these girls," prosecutor Suzanne Kontz said during a hearing in November. Zerola is free on $100,000 bail. He and his attorney, Janice Bassil, did not return calls seeking comment.
In the 2004 case, Zerola stands accused of repeatedly raping a woman in his apartment.
In 2006, a woman told police that after the two went out on their first date, she went back to his apartment to use the bathroom. She said that after she turned down Zerola’s sexual advances, he ripped off her dress and underwear, slammed her head against the wall and refused to let her leave. The woman dialed 911 on her cell phone and police tracked the call to Zerola’s apartment using a GPS system.
He violated bail by watching the New England Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins in person down in Miami. Then according to Florida officials, he went hunting for a 3rd victim, 18, at a Miain Beach club.
A 3rd woman told police she had several drinks with Zerola at a club, then went to his hotel room, where Zerola stuffed pills down her throat. The woman, who told police she was a virgin, said she awoke naked and bleeding in bed beside Zerola. Zerola told police, "I never had sex with her." He would not submit to a DNA test, prosecutors said.
Zerola, whose law license has been suspended, has a website where he announces he's no longer practicing law at this time.
(Update 3-19-08) Zerola, acquitted in the rape of a 19 year old woman in January, is on trial for the rape of a second 19 year old Massachusetts woman. Opening statements were held in Suffolk Superior Court today.
(Update 3-27-08) It's zero for Zerola's prosecutors as he's acquitted of charges in the second of three cases against him. He still faces a Florida trial for an incident after a Dolphins game.
A Suffolk Superior Court jury deliberated 2 hours before returning not guilty verdicts on multiple charges of rape and supplying liquor to a minor. Zerola’s alleged victim and her family clutched each other, wracked with sobs.
The People magazine hunk-turned-hunted told the Herald he was looking forward to “spending time with my family,” but the respite could be short-lived. Zerola, 36, is scheduled to go on trial for sexual battery of a third teen in Miami Beach in late May.
(Update 6-12-08) All charges against Zerola have been dropped. Miami police give credibility issues and lies about drug use and differing versions of events as reasons the Miami charges were dropped.
Zerola overcame a poor childhood, where he was shifted from foster home to foster home until finally being adopted by a suburban Boston lawyer. He attended Suffolk University, where he graduated with a law degree and public comminications degree.
Trial of Hub's Most Eligible Bachelor on Rape Charges to Start Tomorrow, from the Boston Herald, has more.
"He was bright and articulate," said John E. Fenton Jr., one of Zerola’s law professors. "I don’t remember what he spoke about, but I can tell you he gave an excellent speech."
He worked as a state prosecutor on child abuse and domestic violence cases and became
well-known in philanthropic circles as an advocate for foster children. He started a volunteer group that raised money to buy clothing and gifts for foster kids. He was regularly mentioned in newspaper gossip columns and fetched an $800 bid in a charity dating auction. In 2001, at age 29, Zerola was named one of People’s 50 most eligible bachelors.
In 2000, Zerola opened his own practice, where his clients included drug dealers, and ironically, rape defendants - something he is currently.
In court, he was known for his well-tailored suits, flashy style and the frequent compliments he paid female court employees.
"It’s a rare instance that you see a kid who has been through as many foster family situations as Gary who was able to rise above all of that, not to get into trouble as a kid, not to turn to substance abuse, but to go to college and then to go on and become a lawyer," said Michael Natola, a Boston defense attorney who is a close friend.
Zerola's MO, according to prosecutoirs, is to meet women in bars, charm them, get them back into his apartment or hotel room, then rape them. He stands trail for raping 2 19 year old Massachusetts women back in 2004 and 2006 tomorrow, and then he is scheduled to face charges in Florida for a 3rd sexual assault.
In the 2006 case, he allegedly took the woman shopping at Neiman Marcus, where he bought her a $700 dress and $250 shoes before trying to rape her in his Boston apartment. "He spent some time grooming these girls," prosecutor Suzanne Kontz said during a hearing in November. Zerola is free on $100,000 bail. He and his attorney, Janice Bassil, did not return calls seeking comment.
In the 2004 case, Zerola stands accused of repeatedly raping a woman in his apartment.
In 2006, a woman told police that after the two went out on their first date, she went back to his apartment to use the bathroom. She said that after she turned down Zerola’s sexual advances, he ripped off her dress and underwear, slammed her head against the wall and refused to let her leave. The woman dialed 911 on her cell phone and police tracked the call to Zerola’s apartment using a GPS system.
He violated bail by watching the New England Patriots defeat the Miami Dolphins in person down in Miami. Then according to Florida officials, he went hunting for a 3rd victim, 18, at a Miain Beach club.
A 3rd woman told police she had several drinks with Zerola at a club, then went to his hotel room, where Zerola stuffed pills down her throat. The woman, who told police she was a virgin, said she awoke naked and bleeding in bed beside Zerola. Zerola told police, "I never had sex with her." He would not submit to a DNA test, prosecutors said.
Zerola, whose law license has been suspended, has a website where he announces he's no longer practicing law at this time.
(Update 3-19-08) Zerola, acquitted in the rape of a 19 year old woman in January, is on trial for the rape of a second 19 year old Massachusetts woman. Opening statements were held in Suffolk Superior Court today.
(Update 3-27-08) It's zero for Zerola's prosecutors as he's acquitted of charges in the second of three cases against him. He still faces a Florida trial for an incident after a Dolphins game.
A Suffolk Superior Court jury deliberated 2 hours before returning not guilty verdicts on multiple charges of rape and supplying liquor to a minor. Zerola’s alleged victim and her family clutched each other, wracked with sobs.
The People magazine hunk-turned-hunted told the Herald he was looking forward to “spending time with my family,” but the respite could be short-lived. Zerola, 36, is scheduled to go on trial for sexual battery of a third teen in Miami Beach in late May.
(Update 6-12-08) All charges against Zerola have been dropped. Miami police give credibility issues and lies about drug use and differing versions of events as reasons the Miami charges were dropped.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
British woman who killed partner acquitted of murder
From The BBC, June 3, 2008
Christine McGreavey, 44, was charged with the murder of Barry Parkin, 48, during a row at their home in Manorbier Crescent in Walton, Liverpool. Ms McGreavy, who has a four-year-old daughter with Mr Parkin, said the death happened accidentally during a row after she found out he was gay. She was also found not guilty of manslaughter at Liverpool Crown Court.
The couple were arguing at their home in January.
Ms McGreavey told the court that the blow, from which Mr Parkin died five hours later, had occurred accidentally. He came out of the kitchen during the row with a knife pointing towards his chest. She went forward to disarm him and accidentally bumped into him and the knife went into his chest. It was alleged she told police that she hoped he died.
She later apologised and said she had just "flipped" as she had just found out he was gay.
Christine McGreavey, 44, was charged with the murder of Barry Parkin, 48, during a row at their home in Manorbier Crescent in Walton, Liverpool. Ms McGreavy, who has a four-year-old daughter with Mr Parkin, said the death happened accidentally during a row after she found out he was gay. She was also found not guilty of manslaughter at Liverpool Crown Court.
The couple were arguing at their home in January.
Ms McGreavey told the court that the blow, from which Mr Parkin died five hours later, had occurred accidentally. He came out of the kitchen during the row with a knife pointing towards his chest. She went forward to disarm him and accidentally bumped into him and the knife went into his chest. It was alleged she told police that she hoped he died.
She later apologised and said she had just "flipped" as she had just found out he was gay.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Woman acquitted of sex assault of passed out man: now suing for paternity
Like the poster said, if the woman had this man's baby, and the only way that she could have had it was by sex with him while he was passed out, then how the heck wasn't she found guilty? And she's asking for child support, too?
From the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Woman not guilty of sex assault:
Tammy L. Christie, formerly of Stevens Point, was found not guilty Thursday of third-degree sexual assault. Prior to Thursday's trial, the charge against Christie was reduced from second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious person. Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter officiated over the one-day trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 15, 2006, a 21-year-old man was at a relative's residence in Marshfield drinking and playing cards. The man felt dizzy and had a headache, his vision became blurred, and he had trouble walking.
He came too the next morning in a spare bedroom, with Christie by his side. He didn't think anything happened, but something did. Recently, he was served with paternity papers, and a DNA test proved that the victim was the father of Christie's child.
Christie reportedly told a Marshfield detective she had been at the residence when the man had too much to drink and had to be helped into a bedroom.
Both comments below the story:
And the kicker is now she wants child support?
Now, I don't know all of the facts, but from what I had read about this case, this woman had sex with this man while he was drunk. Now if the tables were turned and it was the man who had sex with the woman when she was drunk, the man would have been found guilty. How did this woman get pregnant with this man's child? If they had never had sex other than when the woman utilized the man's services without his consent, I would think it was sexual assault. Can anyone shed some light on this.
From the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, Woman not guilty of sex assault:
Tammy L. Christie, formerly of Stevens Point, was found not guilty Thursday of third-degree sexual assault. Prior to Thursday's trial, the charge against Christie was reduced from second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious person. Wood County Circuit Court Judge Greg Potter officiated over the one-day trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on Feb. 15, 2006, a 21-year-old man was at a relative's residence in Marshfield drinking and playing cards. The man felt dizzy and had a headache, his vision became blurred, and he had trouble walking.
He came too the next morning in a spare bedroom, with Christie by his side. He didn't think anything happened, but something did. Recently, he was served with paternity papers, and a DNA test proved that the victim was the father of Christie's child.
Christie reportedly told a Marshfield detective she had been at the residence when the man had too much to drink and had to be helped into a bedroom.
Both comments below the story:
And the kicker is now she wants child support?
Now, I don't know all of the facts, but from what I had read about this case, this woman had sex with this man while he was drunk. Now if the tables were turned and it was the man who had sex with the woman when she was drunk, the man would have been found guilty. How did this woman get pregnant with this man's child? If they had never had sex other than when the woman utilized the man's services without his consent, I would think it was sexual assault. Can anyone shed some light on this.
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