The BayNews9 website gives an interesting glance at how DNA can help bring justice to rape victims...
In Clearwater, the man arrested and charged with attacking a teen girl walking to her bus stop will make his first appearance in court Thursday.
Pinellas County deputies arrested the man Wednesday who they say sexually battered a 17-year-old girl on the way to the bus stop last month.
Deputies say the Defendant, 28, was identified as a suspect through DNA recovered from the attack.
The attack happened in the area of Whitney Road in unincorporated Clearwater during the early morning hours of December 18, 2012.
Detectives say the suspect grabbed the victim from behind as she was walking to the school bus stop, choked her, and dragged her to a nearby ditch. Detectives say thereafter, the man continued to choke her, rendering her unconscious and sexually battered her.
Detectives say the suspect also stole the victim's two cellphones and those cellphones were recovered from the suspect at the time of the arrest.
Deputies say the victim did not know the suspect.
The man is now charged with sexual battery, attempted felony murder, strong arm robbery and kidnapping.
Detectives determined that the suspect had prior convictions for burglary and grand theft out of nearby Hillsborough County. Ironically, the defendant was currently living in a Dept. of Corrections facility that assists offenders with their re-entry into society.
In addition to the DNA evidence, detectives say the man also admitted to the crime.
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