Rhode Island judge denies bid for mistrial in rape case of Providence police officer
By APThursday, March 25, 2010
Judge denies mistrial in rape case of RI officer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A judge has denied a bid for a mistrial in the case of a Providence police officer accused of raping a woman in a police substation.
Superior Court Judge Netti Vogel on Thursday denied the request from a lawyer for Marcus Huffman. She said a state police sergeant was negligent for not turning over notes to the defense, but that the lack of disclosure didn’t prevent Huffman from getting a fair trial.
Huffman is charged with first-degree sexual assault for allegedly raping the woman in March 2007 after offering her a ride outside a nightclub where she had been turned away for being too drunk. The woman testified that she couldn’t remember what happened, but that she woke up with her pants undone and her undergarments removed.
Testimony resumes Monday.
