Trial begins for Artie Jackson in post-Sandy rape, burglary case

Opening statements were delivered today in the trial of a Hempstead man accused of trying to rape a woman in the days following Superstorm Sandy. Artie Jackson is accused in at least three burglaries

News 12 Staff

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Sep 16, 2014, 3:58 AM

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Updated 3,831 days ago

Opening statements were delivered today in the trial of a Hempstead man accused of trying to rape a woman in the days following Superstorm Sandy.

Artie Jackson is accused in at least three burglaries and home invasions in Garden City. In one of the robbery cases, Jackson is facing charges of sexual assault, rape and attempted murder.

Prosecutors say Jackson was carrying a knife and broke into a woman's townhouse in East Garden City on Nov. 11. They say the 50-year-old woman ran and that Jackson allegedly tried to rape and strangle her.

The defense argues that there's no evidence to prove the claims. Jackson's attorney told the jury that his DNA was not found in the victim's house or on her body.

Jurors also heard from a witness who was living next door. He claimed to see Jackson drive off in the victim's car and told the jury that he saw blood outside the home.

The trial is expected to last anywhere from three to four weeks. The jury should hear from a number of witnesses, including EMT workers who responded to the crime scene, hospital workers who treated the victim, a DNA expert and the victim herself.