DA rests in Pa. prison inmate sex abuse trial
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PITTSBURGH (AP) – The prosecution has rested in the trial of a fired Pittsburgh state prison guard who allegedly physically and sexually abused inmates who were serving child-sex sentences or homosexual.
The defense will begin calling witnesses Tuesday on behalf of the defendant, 61-year-old Harry Nicoletti, of Coraopolis.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Friday that 20 former inmates have now testified they were abused by Nicoletti, including a transsexual inmate who claims he was raped by the former guard.
Nicoletti still faces 80 counts, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and institutional sexual assault. Nine charges have been dismissed because Allegheny County prosecutors didn’t call as a witness one alleged inmate victim linked to those charges.
Nicoletti has said the charges are “made up” and his attorney has told the jury the allegations resulted from the inmate rumor mill.