News (Media Awareness Project) - US CA: Wire: Twin Brothers Convicted Of Drugging, Raping Women |
| Title: | US CA: Wire: Twin Brothers Convicted Of Drugging, Raping Women |
| Published On: | 1998-06-17 |
| Source: | Associated Press |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-07 08:07:00 |
TWIN BROTHERS CONVICTED OF DRUGGING, RAPING WOMEN
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Twin brothers were convicted Wednesday of
drugging women and sexually assaulting them in a series of videotaped "date
rapes" over several years.
George and Stefan Spitzer who claimed the sex was voluntary, shook their
heads as they were found guilty of all 15 counts, which ranged from rape by
use of a drug to kidnap for sexual purposes.
Jurors reached their verdicts Tuesday after deliberating several hours since
Friday. Their decision was sealed and read Wednesday morning.
"I was enormously relieved," Deputy District Attorney Mary Stone said
outside court. "We depended on a lot of women being brave and coming forward."
George Spitzer faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison; his brother
faces 30 years.
Both Marcie and the prosecutor said they hoped the verdict sends a message
to other men thinking of using the drug as well as to women to be careful of
men slipping them the powerful tranquilizer Rohypnol, known as "roofies" or
date-rape pills.
"Don't let a stranger buy you a drink in the bar," Ms. Stone said.
Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, but is smuggled from other
countries, where it is used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, convulsions and
muscle tension.
The crimes occurred between April 1993 and July 1996. Police seized 20
videotapes showing the 41-year-old brothers having sex with women in their
Marina del Rey apartment.
Some or all of the women in the tapes appeared to be drugged, authorities
said. Several boxes of Rohypnol were found.
George Spitzer was arrested after a 35-year-old Los Angeles woman told
sheriff's investigators that she awoke nude in his bed the morning after
having dinner with him.
She said she remembered sitting in the restaurant, but nothing after that
until regaining consciousness early the next day.
Although Spitzer assured her that they did not have sex, she said she knew
she had been raped and reported it. Other women came forward after hearing
of his arrest.
Checked-by: Melodi Cornett
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) -- Twin brothers were convicted Wednesday of
drugging women and sexually assaulting them in a series of videotaped "date
rapes" over several years.
George and Stefan Spitzer who claimed the sex was voluntary, shook their
heads as they were found guilty of all 15 counts, which ranged from rape by
use of a drug to kidnap for sexual purposes.
Jurors reached their verdicts Tuesday after deliberating several hours since
Friday. Their decision was sealed and read Wednesday morning.
"I was enormously relieved," Deputy District Attorney Mary Stone said
outside court. "We depended on a lot of women being brave and coming forward."
George Spitzer faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison; his brother
faces 30 years.
Both Marcie and the prosecutor said they hoped the verdict sends a message
to other men thinking of using the drug as well as to women to be careful of
men slipping them the powerful tranquilizer Rohypnol, known as "roofies" or
date-rape pills.
"Don't let a stranger buy you a drink in the bar," Ms. Stone said.
Rohypnol is illegal in the United States, but is smuggled from other
countries, where it is used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, convulsions and
muscle tension.
The crimes occurred between April 1993 and July 1996. Police seized 20
videotapes showing the 41-year-old brothers having sex with women in their
Marina del Rey apartment.
Some or all of the women in the tapes appeared to be drugged, authorities
said. Several boxes of Rohypnol were found.
George Spitzer was arrested after a 35-year-old Los Angeles woman told
sheriff's investigators that she awoke nude in his bed the morning after
having dinner with him.
She said she remembered sitting in the restaurant, but nothing after that
until regaining consciousness early the next day.
Although Spitzer assured her that they did not have sex, she said she knew
she had been raped and reported it. Other women came forward after hearing
of his arrest.
Checked-by: Melodi Cornett
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