A man who was recently convicted of committing a sexual assault in Butler now faces new charges for allegedly trying to improperly influence the jury in his trial.
The 48-year-old suspect, who is a carpenter from Vernon NJ, sexually assaulted a female outside a bagel shop located in Butler, New Jersey. The rape occurred near the G&A Bagel shop on Route 23 in Butler NJ in 2007.
During the early morning hours on January 28, 2007, the suspect grabbed the 19-year-old victim out of her car, removed her pants and underwear, and then molested her.
The suspect was initially convicted of aggravated sexual assault in 2009. However, the suspect appealed the conviction and was granted a new trial.
At the conclusion of the new trial, a jury found the suspect guilty on all charges. When he is sentenced in early December, he faces a possible sentence of 20 years in state prison.
According to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect conspired with another person to tamper with the jury during the second trial. The trial was held in Morris County Superior Court in Morristown, New Jersey.
Authorities learned about the allegations of jury tampering while the trial was underway. A subsequent investigation led officials to confirm that the suspect tried to disseminate to the jury evidence and other information previously ruled inadmissible by the superior court judge. The sealed documents were reportedly altered before being passed out near the Morris County Courthouse.
The other person believed to have participated in the scheme to influence the jury is a 44-year-old man from Wharton, NJ.
After obtaining evidence of the conspiracy, Morris County Prosecutor’s Office detectives arrested both suspects. The suspects face charges for obstruction of the administration of law and corrupting a jury.
Since obstruction of justice is classified as a third degree felony, the suspects could potentially be sentenced to 3-5 years in NJ State Prison.
For further information about this case, view the DailyRecord.com article entitled “Convicted Butler Rapist Charged with Trying to Influence Jury.”
