| For Immediate Release Case # 10HF0454 August 9, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
THIRD STRIKER FACES TRIAL FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMAN IN HER BEDROOM AFTER BREAKING IN THROUGH UNLOCKED BACK DOOR
SANTA ANA – A third striker faces trial tomorrow for breaking in to the Irvine home of a 24-year-old woman and sexually assaulting her in her bedroom. Victor George Gillespie, 21, Irvine, is charged with one felony count each of sexual battery by restraint, first degree residential burglary of an inhabited dwelling, assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense during the commission of a first degree burglary, and one misdemeanor count of resisting and obstructing an officer. He has two prior strike convictions for robberies in 2007. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 35 years to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Aug. 10, 2011, in Department C-28, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
On the night of March 23, 2010, Gillespie is accused of breaking into the Irvine home of 24-year-old Jane Doe through an unlocked sliding glass back door. The defendant and Jane Doe did not know each other. The defendant is accused of entering the victim’s bedroom, where she was lying on the bed, and climbing on top of her. He is accused of putting his hands down Jane Doe’s pants and touching her vagina as she screamed and struggled to get away. Gillespie is accused of then fleeing the scene.
Responding Irvine Police Department officers located the defendant nearby. Gillespie is accused of ignoring the officers’ instructions after they had identified themselves to him and continued to run in an effort to flee. The officers chased the defendant on foot, caught him, and arrested him.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker of the Sexual Assault Unit is prosecuting this case.
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