Trial for man accused of raping woman on Metro train goes to jury
ROCKVILLE, Md. - A D.C. man is facing life in prison after police say he raped a woman on a Red Line Metro train in Montgomery County. The attack happened in 2016 and has changed the way Metro notifies the public of violent crimes.
The case went to the jury Friday night.
During closing arguments, prosecutors outlined the evidence against the suspect, John Hicks.
Prosecutors say his DNA was found on a tissue the victim - a nurse - used after the attack. Video was played in court showing what police say is the suspect and the victim exiting the train at the Glenmont Metro station. The suspect's own mother testified and identified her son as the man in that video. Prosecutors say Hicks' Metro card history put him at the Glenmont station after the attack.
The victim testified that Hicks had a knife and forced her into a partitioned area on the train. Court documents say she was cut trying to grab the knife.
She says Hicks attempted to rape her and then made her perform oral sex. She told police she believed he would kill her if she didn't comply.
Police say the suspect's semen was found in a tissue the victim says she spit in following the attack. It was recovered from the train.
Hicks was arrested on the same day of the attack. He opted not to testify during trial.
His defense lawyer says he is not the person who committed the attack, and that there was a bad investigation and an incorrect identification of a suspect.
When the alleged rape happened in April 2016, Metro did not notify the public. The media found out about the case more than a month later.
It prompted anger from Congress at a hearing and soon after, Metro changed its policies. Metro general manager Paul Wiedefeld instructed Metro Transit Police to notify the public of a violent crime the same day it occurs when doing so would not hurt the investigation.
Hicks is charged with first-degree rape, first-degree assault and a first-degree sex offense.
Jury deliberations will resume Tuesday.