Trail of alleged gang rapists begins

The trial of four teenagers: James Pelayo, Melvin Guzman, Ricardo Alamilla and Amir Sutherland, accused of the attempted murder, rape and maim of a thirty-six year old woman, began today. In May 2000, the four men allegedly offered the victim, a Ladyville resident, a ride to her home from the Crooked Tree Village cut-off where she was hitchhiking. She told police that she was taken to a deserted spot, severely beaten, tied up, stripped of her clothing and gang raped. All four men pleaded not guilty to all three counts. Attorneys for the men took over an hour this morning during jury empanelling to object to the seating of most of the women being called as potential jurors in the case. Finally, six men and three women were empanelled. The trial started this afternoon before Justice John Gonzalez with the victim taking the stand. In a tearful testimony she told the court how she was severely beaten and raped by the youths. The trial continues tomorrow in the Supreme Court. Both Pelayo and Alamilla are being defended by Lutchman Sooknandan, while Guzman is represented by Oswald Twist. Amir Sutherland had told the court he will conduct his own defence.