NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Man Denies Guilt in Spousal Rape Case
A North Hollywood man pleaded not guilty in Van Nuys Superior Court on Thursday to charges of raping his pregnant common-law wife, who suffered a miscarriage soon after the alleged attack.
Cesar E. Monroy, 49, faces charges of spousal rape in the July 17 incident in which he allegedly arrived home drunk at about 2 a.m. and attacked the woman.
After determining that the 5-month-old fetus was not viable, prosecutors declined to file murder charges against Monroy. Deputy Dist. Atty. Phillip H. Rabichow said that the miscarriage could not be directly related to the alleged rape.
During a preliminary hearing two weeks ago, the woman testified that Monroy raped her after demanding sex. She sought medical attention several hours later and was admitted to a hospital, where the miscarriage occurred, Rabichow said.
Monroy, who is being held in lieu of $75,000 bail, is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 15, when a trial date will be set.
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