Posted on 06/21/2004 11:48:26 AM PDT by presidio9
On the eve of what would have been his third trial date in Bucks County court, Douglas Aster pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting a woman during "thong night" at a Bensalem tavern.
As part of a plea bargain, prosecutors did not drop any of the charges against Aster, 32, but agreed to seek a sentence of 111/2 to 23 months, with possible work release privileges. Aster had been facing at least three years behind bars.
Assistant District Attorney Anastasia Filopoulos said the deal was offered, in part, to spare the victim the trauma of taking the stand again. During three prior hearings, the 24-year-old Levittown woman was visibly distraught as she testified about the attack.
"It was just grueling for her," Filopoulos said. "She didn't want to have to relive what was a very difficult time for her again."
Aster pleaded guilty before county Judge Mitchell Goldberg to charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, aggravated indecent assault and indecent exposure. He'll be sentenced in about 60 days, following a Megan's Law evaluation, and remains free on bail.
He did not testify during the hearing Tuesday in Doylestown but answered "yes" when Goldberg asked him if he understood what he was pleading guilty to. Aster was arrested shortly after the May 30, 2003, incident at the Street Road Bar and Grill. The victim said that Aster, whom she believed to be an employee, approached her and told her that the manager of the tavern wanted to see her.
She said Aster then led her to a secluded bathroom where he forced her to perform a sex act.
The woman escaped and told her friends in the bar immediately about the alleged assault. They called police.
Aster had been set to stand trial in March but the case was delayed after Goldberg ruled that the woman's participation in the thong contest - where female patrons strip down to their underwear and compete for prizes - was not protected under rape shield laws and could be told to the jury.
His trial began in May but was quickly halted when the victim testified that she overheard Aster talking on his cell phone, trying to concoct an alibi. Defense attorneys cried foul, saying the prosecution hadn't warned them that she would say that. As a convicted sex offender, Aster will have to register his address with the state police for at least 10 years after he's released from prison. Goldberg ordered him to have no contact with the victim while he's awaiting sentencing.
I bet she's got thighs like what, what, what.
Where was this place again?
No, no - SHE'S got dumps like a truck...truck, truck.
The Clinton Legacy just keeps growing, doesn't it?
That's not right.
"Thong enchanted evening ..."
These type of events were around long before Clinton.
Did you have to show that picture of Monica wearing her BUTT FLOSS! YUCK!
I was making reference to Presidio's disgusting pic in post #3. Whew!
It is not ok to rape stupid, cheap whores.
So, was she just "asking for it" then? I guess we could just jump to the next leve and say "all women want it..." then, too, right?
Whoa Daddy, that's a lot of floss.
Since when does the prosecution have to warn the defense about everything that a witness might say? Guess I missed the memo.
No, you have it all wrong. This was just a fun ladies night out that went wrong.
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