35 year-old Bert Vasquez is already serving 10 years in jail for a conviction of forceable abduction and aggravated assault of an indecent nature. Today, he learned that he will have to serve an additional 4 years in jail.
That second sentence is due to his latest conviction in front of Justice Collin Williams for attempted rape of another woman. The victim, who was 20 years-old at the time, testified against Vasquez and told the court that on January 25, 2011, Vasquez offered her a ride home, but instead of taking her there, he took her against her will to an area in Belama Phase 4. The victim said that this was where he attempted to have sex with her against her will. She testified and told the court that he pulled a knife on her and forced her to take her clothing off. A jury of 9 listened to the evidence and found him not guilty of forcible abduction, but guilty of attempted rape.
Viewers may remember that at the last adjournment of this case, Vasquez, who was unrepresented, was allowed to make a mitigation plea. He came armed legal arguments and past cases to support his submissions on his behalf.
Justice Williams deliberated for 3 weeks, and today, he ruled that Vasquez will serve 4 years. Since this is an unrelated matter to his previous conviction, they sentences are to run consecutively, which means that if he is unable to successfully appeal these convictions, he will spend a total of 14 years in jail.
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