5/31/13 Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy III announced today the conviction of Antonio Lopez Bautista (DOB 10-13-93) of 10 Federal Street, Apt. 5, Saratoga Springs, NY after a two week jury trial in Saratoga County Court before the Honorable Jerry J. Scarano, County Court Judge, to the crimes of: Attempted Kidnapping 2nd., “C” Violent Felony Sexual Abuse 1st, “D” Violent Felony Assault 2nd, “D” Violent Felony, 2 counts Criminal Obstruction of Breathing, “A” Misd. Assistant District Attorneys Michele Schettino and Ann Sullivan tried the case which required the prosecutor to call a 67 year old woman who was brutally and violently attacked by Bautista, who is an illegal alien. The attack occurred behind the West Side Stadium Restaurant and Legends Cafe, in the vicinity of Congress Street in Saratoga Springs in the early morning hours of May 22, 2012, while she waited in her parked car for her husband who was inside. Bautista lay in wait under cover of darkness observing her sitting in the driver’s seat, snuck up to her vehicle while she sat quietly inside, opened the door to the car and attacked her, ripping her from her seat, beating her about the head, neck and body, while she grasped the seatbelt in an attempt to prevent him from getting her out of the vehicle. He was able to overpower her and drag her, more than sixty feet away from her car, the lighted parking lot and the restaurant parking lot, down Congress Street into a dark area where he removed her shirt and bra and pulled down her pants when he tried to sexually assault her. Her continuous screams and resistance alerted neighbors who summoned police who responded immediately. Saratoga Springs Police Department Officers apprehended him hiding near the scene minutes after the attack. District Attorney Murphy said, “this crime is so heinous that it shocks the conscience and anyone who saw the parking lot videotape of the assault would be horrified and angered by the defendant’s attack on the 67 year old innocent woman. Mr. Bautista is violent, dangerous and a predator and needs to be removed from our community for a very long time. I am proud of the work of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, Assistant District Attorneys Schettino and Sullivan and the jury who saw through his false claim of “I don’t remember the attack”. Judge Scarano was able to keep a complicated trial with a Spanish interpreter moving along without any issue and we are grateful that the victim received justice in the verdict today.” Assistant District Attorney Schettino said, “The victim in this case was so brave and did an extraordinary job on the stand. The jury saw that she is a human being just like any one of us and it must have been very difficult to speak about this violent sexual attack.” District Attorney Murphy credited the work of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the New York State Police Crime Lab and the cooperation of the employees of the West Side Stadium and the community members who came forward for bringing justice to the victim and said, “so often we hear people who do not want to become involved in police investigations or court cases, but thankfully we do not have that kind of person in our community rather we have people who look out for one another and to come to the aid of someone in need.” The defendant is eligible to receive a prison sentence of up to 15 years in state prison on the highest charge. Under the law, since the crimes occurred at the same time, the prison sentences must run concurrently. Judge Scarano has scheduled sentencing for July 26, 2013 at 11:00am. At this point, it is uncertain as to whether the victim will or will not be speaking and details will be available in the future as to the availability at the sentencing of a victim impact statement.
Bautista Guilty of 5 Felonies After 2 Week Jury Trial
