Jury convicts KC man of raping woman, 70
A Jackson County jury convicted a 29-year-old Kansas City man Wednesday of raping a 70-year old woman after forcing his way into her home in May.
The jury found Jason L. Berry of guilty of rape, sexual abuse and burglary but not guilty of attempted sodomy.
In Jackson County Circuit Court on Tuesday, Assistant Prosecutor Meghan Litecky asked the victim to point out the man who attacked her.
The woman sat silent for close to a minute, trying to maintain her composure, before finally identifying Berry, who was seated a short distance away from her at a courtroom table.
She described how Berry forced his way into her eastside home and pushed her down on her living room couch.
Berry denied raping the woman. His attorney, public defender Joseph Megerman, said there was evidence that someone else committed the crime.
The jury disagreed.
Berry is being held without bond while awaiting sentencing on May 21.
To reach Brian Burnes, call 816-234-4120 or send email to bburnes@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published March 25, 2015 at 7:40 PM with the headline "Jury convicts KC man of raping woman, 70."