North Reading Massachusetts Girls Basketball Coach Indicted on Rape Charges
According to the Boston Herald, a Middlesex County Grand Jury has returned indictments charging former Melrose YMCA girl's basketball coach James Conner from North Reading Massachusetts with sexual assaults including rape and indecent assault and battery. The Herald reports that Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone maintains that Conner assaulted the victims over several years at his North Reading home. Conner is charged with raping two of his players and videotaping his sexual assaults with hidden cameras.
Conner posted $25,000 bail following his first arraignment in February. The court has not set a new date for arraignment relating to the new charges.
If Conner is convicted for rape he faces the potential of life in prison. In view of the fact that it is alleged that the victim is a "minor" Conner is likely charged with statutory rape. In those circumstances, consent is not a defense. Relative to the charge of indecent assault and battery on a person under fourteen, M.G.L. Chapter 265 section 13 B provides for a punishment in state prison for up to ten years. Additionally, relative to prosecution under this section, a child under the age of 14 years shall be deemed incapable of consenting to any conduct of the defendant for which such defendant is being prosecuted.
If you have been charged with rape, indecent assault and battery or any crime alleging a sexual offense you need an experienced Massachusetts trial attorney on your side. A conviction of this type has collateral consequences and will likely require that a defendant register as a sex offender. If you are facing these types of charges in any of the surrounding areas including Peabody, Somerville, Haverhill and Malden contact Attorney McCarthy at 978-875-8060 or online. She will begin working on your case immediately.
