Tulsa Serial Rape Suspect Returns To Court

Tulsa's serial rape suspect is headed for a trial. A judge ruled Monday, there was enough evidence against Gary Graham to order him to stand trial. <br/><br/>Prosecutors say DNA evidence proves Graham

Monday, June 26th 2006, 10:35 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa's serial rape suspect is headed for a trial. A judge ruled Monday, there was enough evidence against Gary Graham to order him to stand trial.

Prosecutors say DNA evidence proves Graham attacked eight victims over a three year period. Graham's attorney talked to the News on 6 about that DNA.

News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright says Gary Graham's attorneys say he has been paying attention during the court proceedings and helping with his defense.

His face never changed expressions as victim after victim told how they'd been asleep in their own bed and woke up to feel a knife against their throat and hear a man with his face partially covered, threatening to kill them. They all described a similar man and similar assaults; however, only one identified Graham in court.

This type of testimony is hard, especially for young victims. Assistant DA Brandon Whitworth: "This is the difficult thing in any child abuse case, not just this one. I'm proud of our victims for getting up on the witness stand and telling their version of events and letting people know what happened."

Prosecutors say they have science on their side, reports show Graham's DNA was a match for fluids found on the victims or their bedding.

Despite that, Graham told the News on 6, he was innocent in an interview after his arrest and he has pleaded not guilty. Grahamâ€™s attorney Kevin Adams: "All we know right now is the state claims it has DNA evidence. We haven't had it reviewed by independent labs, haven't tested anything. My client tells me he's innocent, so I must assume the DNA evidence is incorrect."

Prosecutors say DNA is just one part of their case and they plan to prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law. They say they are more than ready to present their evidence to a jury of Graham's peers.

Graham's trial won't likely happen until sometime next year. Attorneys expect there will be a number of pre-trial issues to be resolved because there are 36 charges involving eight separate victims.