Whitebear
Publisher/Editor-in-chief
Victim Takes the Stand in Pender County Rape Case
Antonio McAllister
WILMINGTON -- The man accused of raping and beating an elderly Pender County woman showed no emotion Thursday as witnesses described the crime to a New Hanover County jury.
Thursday was the first day of testimony in the trial against Antonio McAllister. He's charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping and burglary.
One of the witnesses to take the stand -- the victim herself.
The 80-year-old woman described the attack that happened in July of 2005. She says she was beaten and left so bruised that she drove to her daughter's house with eyes nearly swollen shut.
The prosecution also called the victim's daughter and an EMS worker to the stand, and presented pictures of the woman after the attack as evidence.
Though the attack happened in Pender County, the case was moved to New Hanover because of pre-trial publicity.
On the first day of jury selection, the judge told potential jurors that it could be a lengthy trial, and that may be the case. Prosecutors plan to call more witnesses as the trial continues.
If convicted, McAllister could face life in prison without parole.
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Elderly victim testifies against alleged rapist
NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Testimony began today in the trial of a man accused of raping a 78-year-old woman.
It started with what may be considered a very brave act.
The second person to take the stand was the only eyewitness: the victim herself.
Antonio McAllister is on trial for first-degree rape.
Thursday morning he had to face the woman he allegedly beat, tied up, choked and raped.
The victim -- now 80 years old -- testified that she fell asleep one night in July of 2005 at her home in Pender County. She said she was woken up by someone punching her in the face and a man with "very good English" told her he was going to rape her.
The woman told the jury she never saw her attackers face because she passed out from the beating.
The jury was shown graphic pictures of the victim's injuries, along with pillowcases and sheets McAllister allegedly used to tie her up.
The trial will resume tomorrow and is expected to last through next week.
No word on whether McAllister himself will take the stand in his own defense.
Everyone involved in the case, including family members, is under a gag order.
Testimony Presented in Rape Trial
Antonio McAllister
WILMINGTON -- The man accused of raping and beating an elderly Pender County woman showed no emotion Thursday as witnesses described the crime to a New Hanover County jury.
Thursday was the first day of testimony in the trial against Antonio McAllister. He's charged with first-degree rape, kidnapping and burglary.
One of the witnesses to take the stand -- the victim herself.
The 80-year-old woman described the attack that happened in July of 2005. She says she was beaten and left so bruised that she drove to her daughter's house with eyes nearly swollen shut.
The prosecution also called the victim's daughter and an EMS worker to the stand, and presented pictures of the woman after the attack as evidence.
Though the attack happened in Pender County, the case was moved to New Hanover because of pre-trial publicity.
On the first day of jury selection, the judge told potential jurors that it could be a lengthy trial, and that may be the case. Prosecutors plan to call more witnesses as the trial continues.
If convicted, McAllister could face life in prison without parole.
**********************************
Elderly victim testifies against alleged rapist
NEW HANOVER COUNTY -- Testimony began today in the trial of a man accused of raping a 78-year-old woman.
It started with what may be considered a very brave act.
The second person to take the stand was the only eyewitness: the victim herself.
Antonio McAllister is on trial for first-degree rape.
Thursday morning he had to face the woman he allegedly beat, tied up, choked and raped.
The victim -- now 80 years old -- testified that she fell asleep one night in July of 2005 at her home in Pender County. She said she was woken up by someone punching her in the face and a man with "very good English" told her he was going to rape her.
The woman told the jury she never saw her attackers face because she passed out from the beating.
The jury was shown graphic pictures of the victim's injuries, along with pillowcases and sheets McAllister allegedly used to tie her up.
The trial will resume tomorrow and is expected to last through next week.
No word on whether McAllister himself will take the stand in his own defense.
Everyone involved in the case, including family members, is under a gag order.
Testimony Presented in Rape Trial
