Witnesses recounted Tuesday how they noticed a 23-year-old first inside Hennessy’s bar, then on the road within the snow, and seated in a T automobile on the Orange line all earlier than she was was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted by Victor Pena.
“She didn’t seem like she was sitting up straight by herself,” one witness, Amy Simpson, who noticed the sufferer and her alleged attacker on the T, testified in Suffolk Superior Court. “The man she was with was kind of supporting her. Her eyes weren’t really open, kind of fluttering.”
Several witnesses testified Tuesday that the younger girl’s situation and state of affairs at completely different factors by way of the night time caught their consideration, even raised alarms.
But regardless of the cautious eyes, ultimately she was left alone and impaired with an alleged predator.
On Jan. 19, 2019, the lady was leaving the downtown bar Hennessy’s when she was allegedly kidnapped by 38-year-old Pena. Over the course of three days, regulation enforcement testified, the sufferer was repeatedly raped and photographed over 300 occasions earlier than police discovered her with Pena in his residence.
After over three years held with out bail, Pena’s trial started with opening arguments Monday. He is dealing with expenses of kidnapping and 10 counts of aggravated rape and has pleaded not responsible. The kidnapping cost carries a sentence of as much as 25 years in jail and every rape cost may end in as much as 30 years every.
Defense legal professional Lorenzo Perez mentioned Monday the case will hinge on Pena’s intent and frame of mind, referencing “bizarre” habits. Pena was not within the courtroom Monday or Tuesday following loud outbursts in Spanish throughout jury choice.
Pena was discovered competent to face trial following a three-day listening to on his psychological well being standing earlier this month.
Much of Tuesday’s testimony targeted on the timeline on the night time of the reported kidnapping, with a number of witnesses testifying to the sufferer’s state and interactions with Pena.
Pena was following an acquaintance, Marlon Roldan, on his was dwelling once they got here throughout the younger girl, Roldan testified utilizing a Spanish-language interpreter.
Roldan warned Pena the woman was drunk, he mentioned, however Pena didn’t hear. Pena broke off from Roldan across the Downtown Crossing station, the witness mentioned, hugging and kissing the lady whereas she was struggling to stay upright.
Roldan recounted he adopted the 2 for a bit, anticipating Pena to depart the woman, however ultimately misplaced them as Pena led her into the station.
Police ultimately traced her to Pena’s residence within the Bunker Hill public housing growth in Charlestown.
Testimony will resume at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”