The attorney prosecuting DeShawn Stringer, who is accused of
raping a UCLA student nearly two years ago, said he will rest today
and let the defense begin its case.
Stringer is accused of raping the student while on a field trip
to the university with Carson High School in December 2002.
A jury deadlocked in May when Stringer and two other men stood
trial for the alleged crime. The LA County District Attorney chose
to only retry Stringer, who received a vote of six guilty, six not
guilty on a charge of forced rape, and seven guilty, five not
guilty on a charge of forced oral sex.
Stringer’s retrial began early this month and lead
prosecutor Scott Millington said he expects to be in closing
arguments either this Friday or early next week.
Stringer’s attorney, Frank Williams, said last week that
he will likely call the previous two other defendants, Jamar Dawson
and Chuwan Anthony as witnesses.
Williams added that he was not sure whether Stringer would also
testify.
Jane Doe, the name the court is using to protect the identity of
the victim, testified last week.
Williams said the trial hinges on her credibility.
“What you’re here to decide is whether Ms.
Doe’s testimony is believable,” Williams told jurors
during opening statements last Tuesday.
Stringer, Dawson and Anthony left their high school tour group
and went up to the De Neve dorms. They came to Jane Doe’s
room and had sex with her.
Jane Doe said in court that she said “no” more than
once to the sexual advances from Stringer. The defense maintains
that the sex was consensual.