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Oxnard woman testifies during rape-sodomy trial
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More from Local NewsA 78-year-old woman who was sexually assaulted more than 10 years ago testified Wednesday at the trial of the man accused of raping and sodomizing her at a laundromat in Oxnard.
The woman, who cleaned the laundromat that was managed by her husband, was unable to identify the man accused of the rape and sodomy, Willie Ray Clark.
Clark, of Oxnard, was charged with the crime after crime labs matched his DNA to semen collected in 1996.
Under state law, felons are required to provide DNA samples, and Clark was on parole for a robbery conviction in San Luis Obispo, according to prosecutors.
The woman, who was 68, had just let the last customer out of the laundromat at 150 E. Channel Islands Blvd. when she said her attacker came out of a closet at 9:30 p.m, according to prosecutor Gilbert Romero.
"The man was there, and he threw me on the floor," she said. "It took me by surprise."
The petite woman said the man wore a ski mask during the attack and, at one point, he threatened her with a sharp object.
"I thought it was a knife. I thought he was going to kill me," she said. "Thank goodness he didn't."
The woman, who is hard of hearing, calmly recalled details of the sexual assault. She said the man used dirty white shoelaces to tie her up.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Edward Brodie is presiding over the trial. Clark waived his right to a jury trial.
The trial, which is expected to be heard over four or five days spread over a few weeks, is expected to start again Jan. 3.
Clark's lawyer, Charles Cassy, is asking Brodie to take up the legal issue on whether his client was given his Miranda rights before he made statements to police.
Romero declined to say whether Clark confessed to police that he raped the woman.
The victim testified that she was able to untie herself and go for help.
Prosecutors believe the attacker came in through the open door and hid in the closet.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 20, 2007 at 7:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
His DNA matched the crime in 1996? Why is this just going to trial now?
Posted by kyliepoo007 on December 20, 2007 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is just sick!!!
Posted by kind1 on December 20, 2007 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
anyone know current statute of limitations in California for sex crimes? They keep changing, like how long after a victim turns 18, or how long after repressed memories are reawakened, or like this - 10 years later? What was the date of arrest, and how long after the crime? Just curious.
Posted by daze805 on December 20, 2007 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The perp may have been recently arrested for another crime, where his DNA was collected.
I would think this happens more often?
Posted by noneya on December 20, 2007 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI He is on parole and felons are required to give a DNA sample and this is how the rape case finally caught up with him. I wonder how many other woman he may have attacked?
Posted by ironwoman on December 20, 2007 at 6:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What's almost worse about this story is the perp's attorney looking into the legal issue that this sicko's Miranda Rights weren't read to him before he talked. The attorney is re-victimizing this woman. Have some integrity.
Posted by AleaSamos on December 21, 2007 at 4:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a very brave woman to testify. She must have been very frightened.
I hope this creep gets a long sentence. He is a low-life scumbag who has been arrested before and he knows his rights -- even a 5 year old knows his rights from just watching TV! Lawyers are scumbags when they try to get these dangerous criminals off with such lame excuses. This lady could just as well been the lawyer's own auntie or mother.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on December 21, 2007 at 10:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
daze805 ,It says in the article his Semen sample was collected in 1996. FYI
Posted by imbetnonit on December 21, 2007 at 11:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This criminal is a waste of space. When these animals violate their victims "rights", they shouldn't expect their "rights" to be protected. What's good for the goose..........
Posted by My2Cents on December 21, 2007 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Put this SOB, and the filthy lawyer, both in the washer. Heavy soiled setting only, please! I wonder if her nationality has somthing to do with the jerk of a lawyer trying to victimize her again. This makes me sick... Jerks, pick on someone your own size!
Posted by twoods on December 23, 2007 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sas por atras!!!
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