American fugitive Nicholas Rossi, who faked his death and fled to Scotland in an attempt to avoid justice, has been convicted of rape in the United States.
Rossi who has also gone by the name Nicholas Alahverdian was found guilty by a jury in Salt Lake County of sexually assaulting a woman known as “MS” in his apartment after their brief engagement ended. The verdict was reached after more than eight hours of jury deliberations. Rossi, who had previously been seen joking with his legal team, showed no emotion as the decision was read. He is due to be sentenced on 20 October.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill praised the survivor’s courage, stating: “It took bravery to take the stand and confront her attacker to hold him accountable.”
The court heard that Rossi met MS online, became engaged within two weeks, and soon displayed controlling behaviour borrowing money, restricting her use of her car, and criticising her clothing. When she tried to leave the relationship, Rossi pushed her onto a bed and raped her.
The defence argued the case lacked a “complete picture” and claimed MS only reported the incident after recognising Rossi in the news 13 years later.
During the trial, another woman “KP” testified about a separate alleged rape in Utah County in 2008, saying Rossi used her credit card without permission and later assaulted her when she tried to leave his apartment.
Rossi, who was extradited from Scotland in 2023 after a lengthy legal battle over his true identity, faces another trial for KP’s case in Utah County next month, expected to last two weeks.