JOHNSTOWN - Four men are scheduled to stand trial later this month on charges they sexually assaulted a woman in an alley outside a Gloversville tavern.
The four men accused of taking part in the attack are Tyson J. Stratton, 30, of 17 Mill St., Gloversville; LaTerence H. Wilson, 24, of 13 Pearl St., Gloversville; Ezequial D. "Hoodie" Rouse, 27, of Bradt Street, Schenectady; and Michael L. "Skitso" Deveaux Jr., 20, of 139 Steinmetz Homes, Schenectady.
The four will all be on trial starting Oct. 19 before Judge Richard C. Giardino in Fulton County Court.
A county grand jury has indicted each defendant on two counts of felony first-degree criminal sexual act and one count of misdemeanor second-degree unlawful imprisonment.
The indictment states the defendants committed a "hate crime" by engaging in oral sexual conduct or anal sexual conduct against the female victim by "forcible compulsion." The defendants also are accused of "intentionally restraining" her.
Gloversville police say that on May 16 at around 10 p.m., the four defendants attacked a Gloversville woman and physically forced her to engage in a sexual act in the alley outside Quig's Tavern on North Main Street. Police said the four men took turns sexually assaulting her. The victim had gone outside to have a cigarette when she was followed and attacked by the four men, police said.
"The allegations are that she was attacked outside the bar in Gloversville and sexually assaulted," Fulton County District Attorney Louise K. Sira said today.
She said the defendants are accused of doing things sexually "in concert" to the victim, as well as "different things to her."
Sira said the trial is expected to last about two weeks, and she is expecting to call the victim to the stand to testify.
But she said the trial could take longer, considering there are four separate attorneys for the defendants, all of whom may call their own defense witnesses. She said there may be four cross examinations in some cases.
"There's no way to account for the defense," the district attorney said.
Sira said it is highly unusual to have four defendants tried at one time in Fulton County Court.
Assistant District Attorney Chad Brown, who will be prosecuting the case, said today it will be tried like any other case.
"I will be going through my witnesses, and they [defense attorneys will] cross examine," Brown said.
Brown declined to say whether the prosecution will be calling people who actually saw the sex acts first-hand.
Attorney Heidi Gifford of Gloversville is representing Stratton.
"My client denies any involvement in this attack," Gifford said today. "At this point, I'm not sure how many, but we'll be calling some witnesses on his behalf."
Stratton was originally charged May 29 with criminal sexual act and unlawful imprisonment. Police said Stratton was found at his sister Mamika Stratton's residence at 35 Hamilton St.
Mamika Stratton, 29, was arrested and charged with hindering prosecution after she lied to police and said her brother was not at the residence, according to authorities.
On June 4, Rouse and Deveaux turned themselves in to police. They were originally charged with criminal sexual acts and unlawful imprisonment.
Deveaux is being represented by Albany attorney James Milstein.
Rouse is being represented by attorney Michael Sutton of Albany.
Wilson is being represented by attorney Gerard DeCusatis of Amsterdam.
Michael Anich covers Fulton County and Johnstown news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com.
