By Benjamin Paulin
April 17, 2015
Note: This article was originally published on EnterpriseNews.com.
Brockton Superior Court. Photo: Mass.Gov®
BROCKTON – An East Bridgewater man was acquitted of rape charges by a jury in Brockton Superior Court earlier this week.
Bryan Souza, 26, was found not guilty on Wednesday of rape and indecent assault and battery.
In January 2011, a woman Souza was dating alleged that he raped her while inside his Bridgewater apartment, Souza’s attorney Patrick Noonan said.
Noonan and his father, attorney Gerald Noonan, argued that the two had consensual sex.
Two witnesses testified that they slept on a futon that was a few feet away from Souza’s bed the night the alleged sexual assault was said to have taken place.
“Both defense witnesses testified that they did not hear or see anything while they were sleeping on the futon,” Patrick Noonan said.
The alleged victim had several inconsistencies and contradictions in statements made to police, a grand jury and at trial, Patrick Noonan said.
A jury deliberated for less than an hour on Wednesday and found Souza not guilty on all charges.
“We are disappointed in the result but we respect the jury’s decision,” Plymouth County Assistant District Attorney Russ Eonas said.
Benjamin Paulin may be reached at [email protected].
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