No Rape Trial After Defendant Pleads Guilty To Lesser Charge

(WFIN) – It turned out that the Hancock County jury that was seated on Monday for a rape trial wasn’t needed after all.

The Courier is reporting that the defendant pleaded guilty on Monday to a trespassing charge instead.

40-year-old Johnny S. Randazzo Jr., of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan faces up to 18 months in prison on the trespassing charge, which is a fourth-degree felony.

In return for his guilty plea on the trespassing charge, the first-degree felony rape charge that Randazzo was indicted on will be dismissed.

According to The Courier, a Hancock County assistant prosecutor and defense attorney agreed to proceed on the new charge, which was discussed with the victim and law enforcement.

Randazzo’s sentencing date has been set for October 17th.