2 Women Identify El Cajon Man Accused of Rape

Two East County women, testifying Thursday in San Diego Superior Court, identified Carlos Antonio Hinojosa as the man who raped them in their homes almost two years ago.

It was the first testimony in the trial of Hinojosa, 30, of El Cajon. He is accused of eight sexual assaults in El Cajon, Santee and Lakeside during 1985 and 1986.

He is charged with 20 counts of rape, forcible oral copulation, assault with intent to commit rape, assault with a deadly weapon and burglary.

The jury was seated Thursday in Superior Court with Judge Elizabeth Zumwalt presiding.

Hinojosa’s attorney, Ben Sanchez, reserved his right to make an opening statement until later.

Deputy Dist. Atty. John Massucco told jurors that seven of the eight attacks occurred early in the morning after the victims’ husbands, boyfriends or other family members had left for work.

When one of the women who testified Thursday was asked by Massucco if she knew for sure that it was Hinojosa who attacked her, she replied: “I’m positive. There’s no doubt in my mind.”

The trial will resume Wednesday following the holiday weekend.

Hinojosa is being held in County Jail downtown without bail.