GlenoldenPoliceOfficerConvictedOfRape.page

From the Philadelphia Inquirer

Posted on Thu, Mar. 14, 2002

Glenolden police officer convicted of rape
By MaryAnne Janco
Inquirer Suburban Staff

A Delaware County jury today convicted suspended Glenolden police officer Christopher Scaggs of raping an intoxicated woman while in full uniform in her apartment in June 2000, but found him not guilty of raping her a second time when he returned to answer a 911 hang-up call.
Scaggs, 29, a police officer and former 911 dispatcher, was also convicted of official oppression, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and two counts of sexual assault. He faces a five-year minimum mandatory for crimes committed with a firearm and a maximum of 20 years in prison, said prosecutor Sherri Eyer. The jury of seven men and five woman deliberated about eight hours before reaching a verdict at lunchtime.

"The defendant's own words were the strongest evidence," said Eyer, referring to the tape-recorded conversations between Scaggs and his accuser. Those tapes were replayed twice to the jury during its deliberations.

In those tapes, Scaggs repeatedly apologizes to the woman and admits, "I did something I probably shouldn't have done."

Scaggs denied having sex with the woman when he took the stand Monday. He also said he couldn't recall earlier statements to a county detective that the sex was consensual.

The woman testified that Scaggs repeatedly inquired whether she was alone when he entered her home after answering a domestic dispute call there in the early morning hours of June 5. He then began complimenting her and suddenly demanded sex, she testified. He was in full uniform with a gun, and she "did exactly what he asked me to do," she said. About 90 minutes after he left, she called 911 and hung up, and Scaggs returned.

Arthur Donato, one of Scaggs' attorneys, said, "We're disappointed in the verdict. It's obviously disappointing and devastating to Chris' family. We'll be exploring his legal options."

Judge William R. Toal Jr. increased Scaggs' bail to $25,000 cash with electronic home monitoring if he posts the bail. Scaggs faces a second case involving bribery and official oppression charges involving a second woman. No date has been set for that case.

Delaware County District Attorney Patricia Holsten said, "We are very pleased with the jury's verdict. They worked long and hard."

Asked about the verdict's impact on law enforcement, Holsten said, "This is meant in no way to cast aspersions on other officers. The fact that one of their former brothers was convicted is in no way a reflection of them."

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