Nicholas Alahverdian, accused of faking his death to evade sexual assault charges, was convicted of rape in Utah on Wednesday. A judge in Salt Lake County found him guilty following three days of testimony, with sentencing set for October 20. Prosecutors noted the bravery of the survivor in coming forward years after the attack.
Alahverdian, previously known as Nicholas Rossi, had been arrested in Scotland after an online obituary claimed he died from cancer. He claimed to be an Irish orphan. In the Salt Lake trial, the victim recounted their relationship, detailing a series of control and aggression that culminated in assault.
His defense attorney, Mackenzie Potter, argued inconsistencies in the victim’s account, likening it to an incomplete puzzle. Alahverdian has a history of assault allegations, including domestic abuse and prior sex crime charges in Massachusetts and Ohio.
He faces a second rape trial in Utah County next month. The first victim’s experience highlights the challenges of bringing such cases to justice, underscoring the significant time elapsed before identifying Alahverdian as a suspect.
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