County worker convicted of rape
Gerard Lopez faces up to 50 years in prison.
Monday, November 2, 2009
(Cleveland)- A Lakewood man has been found guilty of raping a female coworker at the Cuyahoga County Administration Building.
Judge Timothy McCormick read the verdict to Gerard Lopez Monday. Lopez was found guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition, and not guilty of two rape counts and two charges of kidnapping. Each count carries 3 to 10 years behind bars.
During the trial prosecutors said, Lopez was in the file room in the basement on
March 11th, and had the victim follow him down an aisle where he raped her. Another employee witnessed Lopez zipping up his pants after the attack.
His attorney Michael Peterson says, he has mixed feelings about the verdict. Everyone wants to win when you're part of a case, but understands why he ruled the way he did.
There was no forensic evidence but the victim took the stand during the trial. Peterson says, even though she was mildly retarded she made a good witness, and it was hard to disbelieve her.
The judge revoked bail and set sentencing for November 24th.
(Copyright © 2009 Clear Channel. All rights reserved.)
Judge Timothy McCormick read the verdict to Gerard Lopez Monday. Lopez was found guilty of two counts of rape, three counts of gross sexual imposition, and not guilty of two rape counts and two charges of kidnapping. Each count carries 3 to 10 years behind bars.
During the trial prosecutors said, Lopez was in the file room in the basement on
March 11th, and had the victim follow him down an aisle where he raped her. Another employee witnessed Lopez zipping up his pants after the attack.
His attorney Michael Peterson says, he has mixed feelings about the verdict. Everyone wants to win when you're part of a case, but understands why he ruled the way he did.
There was no forensic evidence but the victim took the stand during the trial. Peterson says, even though she was mildly retarded she made a good witness, and it was hard to disbelieve her.
The judge revoked bail and set sentencing for November 24th.
(Copyright © 2009 Clear Channel. All rights reserved.)

