Ex-NYPD officers come face to face with accuser in Brooklyn rape trial
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Two former NYPD officers accused of raping a teenage girl came face to face with their accuser at a court appearance Thursday.
Eddie Martins and Richard Hall quit the force two months after being charged with first-degree rape, first-degree criminal sexual act and second-degree misconduct in a 50-count indictment.
Authorities say the pair raped the 19-year-old victim in their police van after arresting her in Coney Island back in September.
The 19-year-old accuser and her attorney spoke with reporters outside the courtroom Thursday:
The young woman told investigators two detectives forced her to commit sex acts on them when they arrested her for possession of marijuana and anti-anxiety drugs.
In court, Judge Danny Chun dismissed one lesser count that he considered redundant, while upholding the remaining 49 charges.
The officers appeared grave in court and said nothing, and their attorneys refused to discuss the case, which is not likely to come to trial for several more months.
The attorney for the victim, Michael David, accused the defense of attempting to smear the credibility his client by using her social media posts against her. He told reporters that she was "brutally raped" and that the officers "should go to jail for a long, long time."
The victim, identified only as Anna, when asked about the allegations, told Eyewitness News sarcastically, "They're supposed to protect and serve, right?"
The suspects remain free on bail. If convicted, they each face up to 25 years in prison.
The victim's attorney has filed a notice of claim with the Comptroller's office, asking for $50 million in damages.
----------
