rockin'robin
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Mastho Davis Accused Of Beating, Raping 75-Year-Old Woman In 2007
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- A videotaped deposition of a 75-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach woman was to be played in court Wednesday in the case of a man accused of beating and raping her in 2007.
Opening statements were made Wednesday morning in the trial for Mastho Davis, who is charged with sexual battery, assault, kidnapping and burglary.
The victim's relatives, including her son who found her, and her daughter, were also testifying on the prosecution's behalf. They said their mother would call them every day to let them know she was OK, and when they never heard from her, they became worried and and went to check on her. They said that's when they found her in poor physical shape and took her to a hospital.
Davis was initially declared incompetent for prosecution and was remanded to a state psychiatric hospital in the Florida panhandle, where he was treated. His behavior in previous court appearances included sticking out his tongue at a judge and spitting at people, and he was once ordered to wear a mask when brought to the courtroom.
Video: Jury Seated In Mastho Davis Trial
Davis was later ruled competent to assist in his own defense.
Prosecutors said though the woman never saw the face of her attacker, forensic DNA evidence collected at the scene of the attack was examined, and Davis was identified by crime scene technicians.
Prosecutors said they believe the attack was random. They said it appeared Davis, a drifter from New York state, was walking from New York toward South Florida when he entered the woman's home and raped her.
Defense attorneys argued the evidence is circumstantial, saying no witness actually placed Davis at the scene at the time of the attack. They said another person's footprints were found around the home.
The woman Davis is accused of raping died last month of natural causes. She was 78.
If Davis is convicted, prosecutors said they want him sentenced as a dangerous sex offender, which means he could receive life in prison.
Rape Victim's Son, Daughter Testify - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. -- A videotaped deposition of a 75-year-old Ponte Vedra Beach woman was to be played in court Wednesday in the case of a man accused of beating and raping her in 2007.
Opening statements were made Wednesday morning in the trial for Mastho Davis, who is charged with sexual battery, assault, kidnapping and burglary.
The victim's relatives, including her son who found her, and her daughter, were also testifying on the prosecution's behalf. They said their mother would call them every day to let them know she was OK, and when they never heard from her, they became worried and and went to check on her. They said that's when they found her in poor physical shape and took her to a hospital.
Davis was initially declared incompetent for prosecution and was remanded to a state psychiatric hospital in the Florida panhandle, where he was treated. His behavior in previous court appearances included sticking out his tongue at a judge and spitting at people, and he was once ordered to wear a mask when brought to the courtroom.
Video: Jury Seated In Mastho Davis Trial
Davis was later ruled competent to assist in his own defense.
Prosecutors said though the woman never saw the face of her attacker, forensic DNA evidence collected at the scene of the attack was examined, and Davis was identified by crime scene technicians.
Prosecutors said they believe the attack was random. They said it appeared Davis, a drifter from New York state, was walking from New York toward South Florida when he entered the woman's home and raped her.
Defense attorneys argued the evidence is circumstantial, saying no witness actually placed Davis at the scene at the time of the attack. They said another person's footprints were found around the home.
The woman Davis is accused of raping died last month of natural causes. She was 78.
If Davis is convicted, prosecutors said they want him sentenced as a dangerous sex offender, which means he could receive life in prison.
Rape Victim's Son, Daughter Testify - Jacksonville News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
