Nicholas Rossi jury trial date set after extradition from Scotland on rape charges

Nicholas Rossi, who has been extradited from Scotland to face rape charges in America, has had his jury trial date set nearly a year after his extradition to Utah. The 37-year-old Rossi is accused of first-degree felony rape dating back to 2008. The charges against him are a result of the 2018 sexual assault kit initiative in Utah County. A separate case in Salt Lake County was opened when a woman came forward after learning about Rossi’s extradition.

Rossi’s attorney, Samantha Dugan, shared that they are still in negotiations for a plea deal with prosecutors but requested a jury trial as a precaution. The trial is scheduled to commence on April 22, with jury selection set for April 21 as per local reports. During a recent hearing, Rossi appeared virtually from the Utah County Jail wearing an oxygen mask. Although he did not speak during the session, he waved at the conclusion.

Initially, Rossi had claimed to be Arthur Knight and fought against his extradition, alleging mistaken identity. He recently acknowledged for the first time that he and the alias Arthur Knight are the same person after DNA evidence confirmed his identity as Nicholas Rossi. Despite this, he continues to deny fleeing to the UK in 2017 to avoid arrest.

Rossi’s true identity was revealed when he sought treatment for Covid-19 at a Glasgow hospital in December 2021. His tattoos, which had been circulated by Interpol, were recognised by staff, leading to his arrest. Despite his denials, Rossi was extradited to the US in January after Justice Secretary Angela Constance signed an extradition order in September 2023.

In the upcoming Utah County case, a hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, where the judge has hinted at setting a jury trial. Rossi’s saga of mistaken identity and extradition from Scotland to America highlights the complexities of transnational criminal cases and the role of DNA evidence in establishing identity.

**Summary:**
Nicholas Rossi’s upcoming jury trial in Utah for rape charges, after his extradition from Scotland, underscores the challenges of cross-border criminal cases. Despite initially claiming mistaken identity as Arthur Knight, Rossi’s true identity was confirmed through DNA evidence. The legal proceedings showcase the importance of international cooperation in addressing serious criminal offenses.