Man who attempted to rape Foster City woman getting out of jail
By Joshua Melvin
San Mateo County Times
Posted: 08/28/2009 06:54:11 PM PDT
Updated: 08/28/2009 08:08:37 PM PDT

REDWOOD CITY — A 38-year-old man who was facing life in prison for the attempted rape of a Foster City woman will be released from jail as part of a deal with prosecutors, his attorney said Friday.

Prosecutors had already tried Richard Solis, a transient, for attacking the 32-year-old victim, but the case ended in mistrial when the jury became hopelessly deadlocked. Facing a new trial in September, Solis decided to cut a deal with the District Attorney's Office and pleaded no contest to one count of attempted rape, said defense attorney John Campion.

"This was a three strikes case." Campion said. "It was an offer that we really couldn't refuse."

Solis had already been convicted of two serious "strike" felonies, a 1990 robbery and a 1999 home burglary. Another conviction would have meant life in prison, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe. Jurors had been close to convicting the man, with 10 of 12 members of the panel voting for conviction.

Under the terms of the deal, Solis was sentenced to three years in prison, but with credit for the jail time he has already served he will be out in the next couple days, Wagstaffe said. However, because Solis is an illegal immigrant he will be turned over to immigration authorities and the process of deporting him will begin, said Campion.

Prosecutors say that, in April 2006, the victim was rollerblading on Cutwater Lane when Solis jumped out of the bushes, grabbed
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the woman by the neck and pulled her to the ground. He told the woman he was going to rape her, Wagstaffe said.

But the woman asked Solis if they could go to a less public spot and also requested that he help take off her skates, authorities said. When the man loosened his grip on her, she pulled away from him and then ran away screaming.

Solis remains in custody.

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