He appeared undefended and after a trial that lasted less than two days, this evening 29-year-old construction worker Jaime Moreno was convicted of statutory rape. The jury of 7 women and two men delivered the guilty verdict on the single charge of unlawful carnal knowledge shortly after 5 pm. Moreno who is now facing anywhere between 5 to 10 years in prison left the courtroom with his face fully covered by a black hood.
The incident happened on June 25th of 2004 in the Saint Martin de Porres area where Moreno was working construction and met his 14-year-old female victim. The girl, who is now sixteen, told the court that she was taking a bath in her backyard when Moreno asked her for a cup of water. She gave him the water and they ended up having sexual relations. Because the girl was a minor, she could not have consented to sex and that is why Moreno was charged.
Prosecutor Marjorie Moyston called six witnesses and when Moreno was asked if he had anything to say, he said he had none. He can be jailed for up to 10 years and presiding Judge Adolph Lucas has scheduled the sentencing for November 11th. For now his bail has been revoked and he has been remanded to the Hattieville prison.
