Victim, accused leave court in tears

July 17, 2012 at 7:06p.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

A last-minute plea deal in a Mahoning County rape case sent both the victim and accused rapist from the courtroom in tears.

Sanjuan Smith, 43, of Almyra Avenue, was set to go before a jury in the courtroom of Judge James C. Evans of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on two counts of rape, two counts of kidnapping, and felonious assault.

On Tuesday, Smith opted instead to plead guilty to a reduced charge of attempted rape, kidnapping and felonious assault. He is facing up to 27 years in prison.

Natasha Frenchko, an assistant county prosecutor, said the prosecutor’s office, under terms of the plea agreement, will be recommending a 10-year prison term. Judge Evans is not required to follow that recommendation.

The victim is expected to ask the judge not to follow that sentencing recommendation and hand down a much tougher sentence. She ran from the courtroom in tears as particulars of the plea agreement were announced in open court.

Frenchko said the same plea deal was offered to Smith by a different prosecutor last year, but he declined it at that time. She said she anticipates the victim will be present in court at Smith’s sentencing and will ask the judge to give the convicted man a lengthy sentence.