Thread: MA: Foss Park rape defendant on trial after four years

http://www.townonline.com/somerville/ho ... 7983589375

Foss Park rape defendant on trial after four years
By Auditi Guha
Friday, February 09, 2007 - Updated: 12:46 PM EST

Four years after two teenage disabled girls were raped in Foss Park, one of three defendants arrested is on trial at the Middlesex District Court, according to the District Attorney's office.

Carlos Escobar, 18,of Somerville was arrested a few days after the assault in October 2002 and is currently on trial.

Jose Ortiz, 20, of Boston and Jesus Pleitez, 19, of Somerville, were also arrested at that time.

The three men who were arrested and charged with the rapes are MS-13 gang members, according to police.

The two victims were at Dunkin' Donuts on the corner of Broadway and McGrath Highway the night of Thursday, Oct. 24, when they were confronted by a group of men, including the three suspects, according to Journal archives.

To avoid the men, the 17-year-old girl, who uses the wheelchair, and the 14-year-old girl reportedly crossed the street to Foss Park. Both girls are deaf.

The group, consisting of the defendants and three other men, followed the teens and assaulted them there, allegedly taking the 17-year-old from her wheelchair and slamming her on to a bench.

According to police reports, Somerville officers received a call at midnight reporting the rapes.

I know that it takes law enforcement a long time to gather data, but this appears to be a very long time before the start of the trial.

You have identified the wrong Somerville the story is about Samuel Walter Foss Park in Massachusetts.

Thanks Richard. All fixed.