SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A judge has sentenced Nicholas Rossi, a 38-year-old Rhode Island man, to a minimum of five years in prison for raping two women in 2008 after he reportedly attempted to fake his own death to escape authorities.
The sentencing, which occurred on Monday, follows his convictions in August and September. Rossi is set to be sentenced again in November for a second conviction.
Judge Barry Lawrence noted that Utah employs an indeterminate sentencing system wherein the actual duration of the sentence, ranging from five years to life, will be determined by the state’s Board of Pardons and Parole.
Victims described Rossi’s actions as leaving a trail of fear, pain, and destruction as they testified against him in court. The Associated Press typically refrains from naming rape victims to protect their identities.
Rossi, who did not testify at his own trial, maintained his innocence, claiming the accusations were false and that the women were lying. His legal troubles began when authorities identified him in 2018 through advanced DNA testing connected to an earlier rape case.
In a striking twist, an online obituary claimed Rossi had died in February 2020, but skepticism about his death arose, leading to his eventual arrest in Scotland while he was receiving treatment for COVID-19. He was extradited to Utah in January 2024 following a prolonged legal battle.
At the time of his arrest, he attempted to pass himself off as an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight and used multiple aliases over the years to evade capture. Rossi’s conviction now places a focus on the systemic issues involving sexual assault and the importance of accountability for perpetrators.
The court's decision has highlighted not only the severity of the offenses but also the deep scars left on victims, emphasizing the ongoing conversation about safety and justice in cases of sexual violence.
