Rape allegations tearing one family apart
Nearly seven years after the alleged rape, Francis Taitano stands trial for 1st degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct.
January 8, 2015Updated: January 8, 2015
By KUAM News
By KUAM News
by Krystal Paco
Guam - Trial for 61-year-old Francis Taitano begins today.
Nearly seven years after the alleged rape, Francis Taitano stands trial for first degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct.
The victim, who was only 10-years-old at the time, only recently reported that while under his care, Taitano called her to the patio connected to the bedroom where he began his alleged sexual advances.
"The defendant grabbed her hand and tried to make her touch his penis. And she's going to testify that she slipped at one point and did touch his penis. She's also going to testify that she pulled back and resisted and he told her to kiss him. She refused," said prosecutor Jeremiah Luther. It didn't stop there. That night, the victim shared the same bed with Taitano and his wife.
She alleges Taitano was drunk and told her to watch him and his wife have sex. When his wife denied him and went back to sleep, he targeted the minor girl instead.
"He then penetrates her with his penis and rapes her while she's laying on her side," he said.
But according to defense attorney Mark Kondas, prosecutors didn't do their research and failed to visit the scene of the crime, talk to neighbors, and meet with the girl's teachers. He said, "What the evidence is going to show in this case is that the government failed to a thorough investigation to verify the truthfulness of the victim's statements of the allegations she made. The evidence is going to show you that the government took her statements as gospel truth."
Taitano's wife, a neighbor, the victim's teachers, and the victim herself are anticipated to take the stand. "Rape is a despicable crime. There's no doubt about it. My client did not commit this crime," he explained.
Trial will continue on Friday.
We should note, prior to the rape allegations Taitano was a teacher at George Washington High School. DOE deputy superintendent Rob Malay confirms he no longer works with the department.
Guam - Trial for 61-year-old Francis Taitano begins today.
Nearly seven years after the alleged rape, Francis Taitano stands trial for first degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second degree criminal sexual conduct.
The victim, who was only 10-years-old at the time, only recently reported that while under his care, Taitano called her to the patio connected to the bedroom where he began his alleged sexual advances.
"The defendant grabbed her hand and tried to make her touch his penis. And she's going to testify that she slipped at one point and did touch his penis. She's also going to testify that she pulled back and resisted and he told her to kiss him. She refused," said prosecutor Jeremiah Luther. It didn't stop there. That night, the victim shared the same bed with Taitano and his wife.
She alleges Taitano was drunk and told her to watch him and his wife have sex. When his wife denied him and went back to sleep, he targeted the minor girl instead.
"He then penetrates her with his penis and rapes her while she's laying on her side," he said.
But according to defense attorney Mark Kondas, prosecutors didn't do their research and failed to visit the scene of the crime, talk to neighbors, and meet with the girl's teachers. He said, "What the evidence is going to show in this case is that the government failed to a thorough investigation to verify the truthfulness of the victim's statements of the allegations she made. The evidence is going to show you that the government took her statements as gospel truth."
Taitano's wife, a neighbor, the victim's teachers, and the victim herself are anticipated to take the stand. "Rape is a despicable crime. There's no doubt about it. My client did not commit this crime," he explained.
Trial will continue on Friday.
We should note, prior to the rape allegations Taitano was a teacher at George Washington High School. DOE deputy superintendent Rob Malay confirms he no longer works with the department.