And while that rape charge is pending, another has been concluded. After deliberating for less than three hours, a jury of 6 women and 2 men this afternoon found a man guilty of raping his 12-year-old niece.
The accusation first emerged in October of last year when the girl's mother left the uncle at their home with her daughter and a 15-year-old son. We can't report his name or show his face, because it could lead to the identity of his victim. The girl reported that she was sleeping in her mother's bedroom when he raped her. She was reluctant to report the matter at first because her uncle had threatened her. But 5 days after, she did make a complaint and police arrested him.
In court, compelling physical evidence presented showed that the girl had indeed been raped. The trial began with 9 jurors but a female juror had to be excused after she disclosed that she knew the mother of the complainant.
He is to be sentenced until November 10th to give him time to prepare a mitigation plea since he was undefended.
