New trial ordered for Pa. man in rape of girl, 11
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PHILADELPHIA (AP) – An appeals court has ordered a new trial for a Philadelphia man who tried to withdraw his guilty plea in the rape an 11-year-old girl.
The Philadelphia Inquirer (http://bit.ly/18Tj1Z6) reports Tuesday’s 6-3 opinion by the Superior Court found that a Philadelphia trial judge erred by not letting Jose Carrasquillo (kair-uh-SKEE’-oh) withdraw his plea before sentencing.
Carrasquillo was charged with the June 2009 rape of the 11-year-old as she walked to school. He was also charged in the attempted assault of a 16-year-old girl.
The District Attorney’s Office said it was disappointed by the ruling.
Prosecutors say Carrasquillo confessed to police and there is DNA and fingerprint evidence linking him to the rape.
A vigilante mob had severely beaten Carrasquillo after recognizing a police sketch of the girl’s assailant.