Prosecution Rests Its Case In Henderson Rape Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The prosecution has rested in the Arthur Henderson rape trial.
Henderson is accused of raping four women in Ross Township and robbing them.
The prosecution's final witnesses Friday were three scientists who linked Arthur Henderson's DNA to each of the three rape victims.
They testified that the chance that the DNA was not Henderson measured into the quintillions.
Henderson, who is representing himself in the case, questioned the scientist under cross examination asking, "Does the DNA results tell whether the sex was consensual?"
"No," one witness answered.
"Does the DNA result indicate time or date that the sample was deposited?" he asked.
"No," the witness said.
Thursday, surveillance video allegedly showing Henderson trying to withdraw money from an ATM using the victims' credit cards was introduced.
While Arthur Henderson waited for some of his witnesses to appear on his behalf, Judge Donna Jo McDaniel asked him whether he will take the stand in his own defense.
He then asked the judge if the court appointed lawyers who assist him would be able to question him on the stand, the judge told him they would not, and that he would have to sit on the stand and give a statement which would have to be relevant and would be subject to cross examination. Henderson said under those conditions he's decided not to testify.
At one point Henderson and the judge had a tense exchange.
When Henderson was frustrated with the answers either the doctors or the investigators gave during his questioning, Henderson sometimes raised his voice and challenged their assertions, giving statements rather than asking questions.
At one point Judge McDaniel told him, "The next time you talk out of turn, I will have the jury removed and you and I will work that out."
Henderson apologized.
Testimony wrapped up for the weekend just before 3:30 p.m. The remaining defense witnesses will testify Monday morning, and the jury is expected to get the case by lunchtime Monday.
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