By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TRENTON — The trial for a convenience store manager accused of raping a teenage girl in November 2011 was delayed until summer by Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward Ewell.
Jury selection was scheduled to begin Wednesday in the trial of Rameshkumar Patel, accused of two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile between the ages of 13 and 15. Ewell’s office said Tuesday that the court was awaiting additional evidence, and a pretrial conference was set for July 6 for a July 30 trial.
Prosecutors and police allege that the girl was among local youth who spent considerable time at the Fort Street shop. During preliminary testimony held at 33rd District Court, it was argued that “Rocky,” as Patel is known, often furnished minors with alcohol and permitted them to loiter in the back room to drink and use a computer. The girl testified that Patel sexually assaulted her on a cot in the back room.
Patel remained free on $75,000 bond, and faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.