Judge Will Hear Case of Rape, Robbery Suspect
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A man accused in a 10-week rape and robbery spree in Santa Ana agreed Thursday to allow a judge to decide his fate rather than a jury.
Edward Alberto Guzman, 24, will stand trial Monday on 39 rape, sodomy, kidnapping and robbery counts. Guzman faces eight life terms, plus 300 years, if convicted on all counts, Deputy Dist. Atty. Ed Flores said.
He said the trial would have taken about a month if heard by a jury, but will last about two weeks before a judge.
Deputy Public Defender Hector Chaparro wouldn’t say why his client opted for a court trial.
Guzman was held for a string of attacks that police said began about June 1, 2000.
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