Man to Be Tried in Multiple Rape Cases
A Buena Park man described as a “sadistic rapist” was ordered Wednesday to stand trial on charges that he raped and sexually assaulted seven women and in some cases tortured them, officials said.
In one case, David Lopez, 28, is charged with attempted murder for allegedly dumping a teen-ager who had been bound and gagged into a water-filled ditch in Anaheim in January, Deputy Dist. Atty. Tom Crofoot said.
Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the 38 felony counts. Defense attorney William G. Morrissey said his client has been wrongly identified by some of the women.
After a three-day preliminary hearing, Orange County Municipal Judge William P. Lamb ruled there was sufficient evidence to order Lopez to stand trial on the charges.
A teen-ager tearfully testified Tuesday that she had been raped and tortured by Lopez in January after agreeing to accept a ride from him to meet a friend.
Crofoot said Lopez is a “sadistic rapist” who tried to inflict pain on his victims.
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