A man accused of raping a woman in East Bradford is scheduled to go to trial tomorrow in front of Judge Thomas Gavin. William Horac Strode, Jr., 26, of West Chester, is charged with Rape, Criminal Attempt/Rape, Burglary, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endgangering Another Person, two counts of Criminal Trespassing, and Aggravated Assault after an April 23, 2006 incident in the township according to a complaint filed by Ofc. Carl McIntyre of WCPD.
Strode originally pled guilty on January 24 to one count of Criminal Attempt/Rape and Burglary in front of Judge Anthony Sarcione. Last month, however, Strode fired his attorney and retained new counsel, Scott Godshall. At the hearing in August, the case was reassigned to Judge Gavin, who granted Strode's motion to withdraw his guilty plea and set his bail at $50,000.
Last week, a hearing was held in which the Commonwealth attempted to admit prior bad acts comitted by the defendant to show a pattern of conduct. However, after arguement by defense counsel, Judge Gavin deferred a decision on the motion until the next day, although he indicated in open court that he was inclined to deny the motion.
Jury selection begins tomorrow in Courtroom #5; Assistant DA Thomas Ost-Prisco is prosecuting the case on behalf of the Commonwealth (CP-15-CR-0002002-2006).
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