June 15, 2005

Jury picked for choir director's rape trial

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer

Lawyers selected 12 jurors yesterday to weigh the case of a choir director charged with raping two girls he met while teaching at West Oak Lane Charter School.

Otis Joseph, 28, of the 7300 block of Walnut Lane in West Oak Lane, is accused of repeatedly raping one student starting in 1999, when she was 10 or 11, until she revealed the abuse in March 2004. He also is charged with raping a 14-year-old girl in February 2004.

Opening arguments are expected to begin today before Common Pleas Court Judge Shelley Robins New, after the lawyers pick two alternate jurors.

Posted by kshaw at June 15, 2005 04:09 AM