Judge Denies Request To Join Trials In UMass Rape Case

A judge has ruled that the three remaining defendants charged with raping a University of Massachusetts student in 2012 will be tried separately.

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that a Superior Court judge denied the prosecution's motion to join the trials of Justin King and Adam Liccardi.

They are charged with participating in the rape of an 18-year-old student in her Amherst dormitory room in October 2012 while she drifted in and out of consciousness.

Caleb Womack is the third defendant awaiting trial.

King's trial is scheduled for June.

Emmanuel Bile Jr. was convicted in March and sentenced to 8 to 10 years in prison.

All three defendants awaiting trial have pleaded not guilty and their lawyers have said the sex was consensual.