Spring Break
Sako convicted of rape, sexual abuse
Former student will be held in custody until sentencing May 19 to determine prison time
From staff and wire reports
Issue date: 5/18/09 Section: News
The trial that Corvallis District Attorney Chris Stringer described in his opening statement as one about "trauma" has finally come to an end.
The former OSU student and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity member, Gregory Thomas Sako, 20, was found guilty on the counts of rape and sexual abuse in the first degree after allegedly raping a 21-year-old Portland woman at a 2008 Halloween party.
Sako was reportedly "heavily drinking" that night and could not recall specifically what had happened between him and the victim.
Originally, Sako was additionally charged with kidnapping in the first and second degree. However, presiding Judge Janet Holcomb granted Sako's criminal defense lawyer, Stephen Ensor's, written motion to dismiss the charges last Tuesday on the basis of a lack of sufficient evidence.
Ensor attempted to have the sex crime charges dropped as well, but the judge denied that motion.
The state prosecution rested its case Tuesday afternoon. They called 17 witnesses to testify, including the female victim, who testified that Sako held her down by force in his room and raped her.
Also presented as evidence was the victim's blood-stained Tinker Bell costume and underwear that she had worn the night of the alleged sexual assault.
The final arguments for the defense began Wednesday morning.
The jury was sent into deliberation Thursday afternoon after the state prosecution and defense had concluded with their closing statements.
Ensor argued to the jury that the woman had lied about being raped because she was embarrassed that she had bled on her costume after the sexual interaction.
A guilty verdict was delivered by a jury comprised of seven men and five women on Friday morning to a packed courtroom, which consisted of the victim and her close friends and family, as well as Sako's family.
Sako will be held in custody until his May 19 sentencing, where a specific amount of prison time will be set.
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
The former OSU student and Phi Kappa Psi fraternity member, Gregory Thomas Sako, 20, was found guilty on the counts of rape and sexual abuse in the first degree after allegedly raping a 21-year-old Portland woman at a 2008 Halloween party.
Sako was reportedly "heavily drinking" that night and could not recall specifically what had happened between him and the victim.
Originally, Sako was additionally charged with kidnapping in the first and second degree. However, presiding Judge Janet Holcomb granted Sako's criminal defense lawyer, Stephen Ensor's, written motion to dismiss the charges last Tuesday on the basis of a lack of sufficient evidence.
Ensor attempted to have the sex crime charges dropped as well, but the judge denied that motion.
The state prosecution rested its case Tuesday afternoon. They called 17 witnesses to testify, including the female victim, who testified that Sako held her down by force in his room and raped her.
Also presented as evidence was the victim's blood-stained Tinker Bell costume and underwear that she had worn the night of the alleged sexual assault.
The final arguments for the defense began Wednesday morning.
The jury was sent into deliberation Thursday afternoon after the state prosecution and defense had concluded with their closing statements.
Ensor argued to the jury that the woman had lied about being raped because she was embarrassed that she had bled on her costume after the sexual interaction.
A guilty verdict was delivered by a jury comprised of seven men and five women on Friday morning to a packed courtroom, which consisted of the victim and her close friends and family, as well as Sako's family.
Sako will be held in custody until his May 19 sentencing, where a specific amount of prison time will be set.
news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231
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