(CMR) DJ Renato Renaldo Harris was found guilty in Grand Court Friday afternoon on two counts of rape. Acting Justice Marlene Carter indicated that she believed the victim and found that Harris had concocted a story about her wanting an abortion as a motive for what he alleged was a false accusation.
The judge also noted Harris' attempt to minimize how intoxicated his victim was. The first assault happened after the woman spent a night out drinking and was unable to consent to sexual intercourse. The second assault occurred in the morning after the victim realized she had already been raped. Her testimony was that Harris then forcibly held her down “like a cockroach” and assaulted her a second time.
Harris, who is looking at a serious custodial sentence, was given bail under exceptional circumstances after his defense attorney Keith Myers indicated that he is the primary caregiver for his 12-year-old daughter, who he has primary shared custody of with the mother.
The judge warned him that he is not to attempt to leave the jurisdiction and cannot be seen within 100 feet of the airport. A stop notice has been put in place at the airport. He would also be fitted with an ankle monitor. She warned him if there were any attempts to tamper with it, his bail would be revoked immediately.
Additionally, she ordered a Social Inquiry Report (SIR), and he will be sentenced on January 22, 2023. A rape conviction carries 8-12 years, and in this instance, the drunken state of the victim would be considered an aggravated offense for the first offense.
Harris was represented by Richard Barton, and Myers was the trial advocate. Tune into Monday's TCHT for a discussion on today's verdict.
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