The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
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http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/031005_nw...ordattacks.html
Accused Child Rapist Changes his Mind
Guilty Plea Withdrawn
March 10, 2005 --There surprise reversal in a Philadelphia courtroom from an accused child rapist. Lamar Zamichielli withdrew his guilty plea in the sexual assault of 5 girls two years ago.
Lamar Zamichieli has withdrawn his guilty plea in the so-called Frankford Attacks. Zamichieli had agreed to a plea bargain.
Last July, he plead guilty to a total of 27 charges including rape, indecent assaults and making terroristic threats. But at his sentencing this morning, he changed his mind.
He pled guilty to sexually assaulting five girls. He pled no contest to sexually assaulting five boys, again, back in July. Prosecutors say he forced his young v
ictims into alleys and Logan, Frankford and other areas.
He allegedly told the children he was armed and then sexually assaulted them. Evidence links Zamichielli's D-N-A to one of the victims.
But in court he said, "I've been doing a lot of thinking. I feel as though if I didn't do anything wrong, I shouldn't plea." The prospect of having to call many of the young victims as witnesses during a trial, made even the prosecutor shed a tear.
A victim's mother spoke to Action News. She did not want to be identified.
"Are you angry right now?"
"Yes, I am. My son came here to close this chapter and it's not closed."
"It's ultimately his decision regardless. All I can do is advise him. I will advise him. He has to make that final choice."
The prospect of having to call many of the young victims as witnesses during a trial, made even the prosecutor shed a tear.
The judge has ordered a psychiatri
c ev
aluation of Zamichielli. She says she'll rule on whether she'll accept the plea withdrawal, at a later date.
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/news/031005_nw...ordattacks.html
Accused Child Rapist Changes his Mind
Guilty Plea Withdrawn
March 10, 2005 --There surprise reversal in a Philadelphia courtroom from an accused child rapist. Lamar Zamichielli withdrew his guilty plea in the sexual assault of 5 girls two years ago.
Lamar Zamichieli has withdrawn his guilty plea in the so-called Frankford Attacks. Zamichieli had agreed to a plea bargain.
Last July, he plead guilty to a total of 27 charges including rape, indecent assaults and making terroristic threats. But at his sentencing this morning, he changed his mind.
He pled guilty to sexually assaulting five girls. He pled no contest to sexually assaulting five boys, again, back in July. Prosecutors say he forced his young v
ictims into alleys and Logan, Frankford and other areas.
He allegedly told the children he was armed and then sexually assaulted them. Evidence links Zamichielli's D-N-A to one of the victims.
But in court he said, "I've been doing a lot of thinking. I feel as though if I didn't do anything wrong, I shouldn't plea." The prospect of having to call many of the young victims as witnesses during a trial, made even the prosecutor shed a tear.
A victim's mother spoke to Action News. She did not want to be identified.
"Are you angry right now?"
"Yes, I am. My son came here to close this chapter and it's not closed."
"It's ultimately his decision regardless. All I can do is advise him. I will advise him. He has to make that final choice."
The prospect of having to call many of the young victims as witnesses during a trial, made even the prosecutor shed a tear.
The judge has ordered a psychiatri
c ev
aluation of Zamichielli. She says she'll rule on whether she'll accept the plea withdrawal, at a later date.
