Man acquitted of 14 of 15 counts in rape case
A Fayette County jury acquitted a Uniontown man of 14 of 15 charges in a rape case lodged against him in the alleged sexual assault of a mentally challenged woman.
Bill Greene, 19, was found not guilty of two counts of rape, three counts each of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault, four counts of aggravated indecent assault and one count each of sexual assault and terroristic threats. The panel could not reach a verdict on an indecent assault charge that dealt with consent.
The panel deliberated about 8 ½ hours over two days, returning twice to ask Judge Nancy D. Vernon to redefine charges or explain legal concepts she’d read to them during their charge of the law.
Greene was charged by Uniontown police after a 21-year-old woman alleged she woke up in her bed, and Greene, whom she once considered to be her boyfriend, was on top of her, having sex with her. The woman, whom Assistant District Attorney Linda Cordaro said has the intellect of an 8-year-old, also said Greene threatened her with pocket knifes. The woman testified in a convoluted manner, sometimes answering questions one way, and then another during her testimony, and confusing the definitions of oral and vaginal sex.
Greene, who testified in his own defense, told jurors that he considered the woman his girlfriend in early January, when police alleged the assault occurred. He told jurors that they were in love, and it was the woman who suggested sex. Greene, who told jurors he was 17 in the 8th grade, testified the woman never told him to stop.
Assistant District Attorney Mary Campbell Spegar, in her closing argument Wednesday, told jurors that Greene and the woman were “two special needs people who had sex,” and urged the panel to look at all the testimony and acquit Greene.
Cordaro, however, told jurors that Greene lied to police about having sex with the woman, and did so because he knew he took advantage of her, and knew she did not want to have sex or sexual contact.
“It’s a fair verdict. Absolutely, unequivocally a fair verdict,” Spegar said after the jury rendered its verdict.
Prosecutors can retry Greene on the indecent assault charge on which they could not reach a verdict.
Greene has been in the county prison in lieu of $50,000 bond since his March arrest. Spegar said she would likely file paperwork asking that the bond be reduced.
Judge Nancy D. Vernon presided over the case.