‘Messenger of Lord’ Rape Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
A man police say is the so-called “Messenger of the Lord” rapist pleaded not guilty Wednesday to 24 felony charges filed after he allegedly raped six women, carved crosses in their backs and told them he was St. Peter.
Joseph Brian Socha, 29, entered the plea to the felony counts, including rape, robbery, kidnaping, sodomy and forced oral copulation.
Socha was arrested Oct. 3 for the bizarre ritualistic attacks of at least three women in Long Beach and the harbor area during September. Other cases were added to the list.
Deputy Public Defender Carl Kandel said his client admitted the crimes and needs psychiatric help. Pre-trial motions were set for Nov. 14.
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