Man accused of rape waives jury in favor of a judge trial

SMITHVILLE – A man accused of a violent sex crime will have his case presented before a judge this afternoon instead of a jury.

Stanley R. Whitman, 50, of Smithville Flats, has waived his right to a jury trial in favor of having his fate decided by Supreme Court Judge Kevin M. Dowd. The trail began at 9:30 a.m. today.

Whitman was indicted on first degree rape and other charges for allegedly attacking a 48-year-old victim in a parking lot in Smithville and forcing her to have sex with him.

At a hearing in January, Assistant District Attorney Stephen Dunshee said the defendant met the woman in a bar after she had a fight with her boyfriend and offered to take her home. The prosecution contends that instead, the defendant took advantage of the woman, driving her to a nearby vacant lot where she was beaten and raped.