Alleged Victim Testifies Against Potential 3rd-Striker In His Sexual Assault Trial
SANTA ANA (CBS) — The alleged victim of a sexual assault in her Irvine home testified Wednesday that when she saw the man accused of attacking her on the street she felt uneasy because he got a little too close for comfort.
Victor George Gillespie, 21, of Irvine is a potential third-striker. In this offense, he is charged with the felonies sexual battery by restraint, first-degree residential burglary of an inhabited dwelling and assault with the intent to commit a sexual offense during a burglary. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting arrest.
The alleged victim, whose name was withheld, testified that she took her nearly one-year-old German shepherd Moo out for a walk the evening of March 23, 2010 when she noticed a man approaching. The two exchanged hellos, but she said she immediately felt uncomfortable.
"He came so close to me (that) I just shied away," the woman testified. "I just thought it was so awkward he was walking so close to me."
The 25-year-old woman returned to the three-bedroom apartment she shared with two cousins and one of their girlfriends.
She testified that she was logged into Facebook, lying on her bed on her stomach, when she noticed her dog was gone, according to Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker. Moments later, she felt someone jump on her back, the prosecutor told jurors.
The woman wasn't sure if it was her dog or a friend playing a joke, but soon realized what was happening and spun around, Walker said. She struggled and hollered at her attacker to get off.
"He said, `Hey, baby,"' Walker said, adding the attacker then stuck his hand down the woman's pants and touched her groin. But she struggled so much that he ran away. The woman ran out of her home and told a neighbor, who also saw the suspect running away, Walker said.
Irvine police arrested Gillespie nearby a short time later, she said.
Gillespie has two prior strike convictions for robberies in 2007, according to the District Attorney's Office. He faces up to 35 years to life in prison if convicted.
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