Ex-WRKO Reese Hopkins out on bail after mistrial

Ex-WRKO Reese Hopkins out on bail after mistrial

By Jessica Heslam and Laurel J. Sweet  |   Tuesday, April 5, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Ex-WRKO host Reese Hopkins, whose child rape trial ended in a hung jury, posted bail and walked out of jail over the weekend after 2 1⁄2 years in a New York City clink, sparking outrage from the family of one of his alleged young victims.

“It is not only distressing that he is out on the street but also that anyone would see a mistrial as vindication,” said a family spokesman for the then-11-year-old girl Hopkins is accused of forcibly raping.

“The judge precluded significant evidence against Hopkins. The real question is, ‘Why would two young girls whose testimony was largely corroborated by each other and other witnesses . . . make this up?’ Hopkins has no good answer to that question,” the spokesman added.

Hopkins’ bail was lowered to $20,000 cash or $40,000 bond last week after his child-rape case ended with a mistrial because of a hung jury. Hopkins was sprung Saturday, said Stephen Morello, spokesman for the New York City Department of Correction.

Hopkins’ attorney, David Cohen, would not disclose his client’s whereabouts but said he would be back in court April 13. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office had no comment.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1328423

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Mistrial declared in ex-WRKO jock’s child rape case

Mistrial declared in ex-WRKO jock’s child rape case

By Jessica Heslam  |   Thursday, March 24, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Media & Marketing

A New York City judge declared a mistrial today in the child rape trial against ex-WRKO radio host Reese Hopkins because the jury remained deadlocked, according to a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney.

The jury had been deliberating since Tuesday. Judge Daniel Conviser declared the mistrial and a bail hearing has been set for this afternoon.

Hopkins, who has been held on $100,000 cash or $300,000 bond, had faced up to 25 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Hopkins molested a pair of 11 year old girls — and forcibly raped one of them — in his Manhattan apartment in 2004. Hopkins could be set free today at his bail hearing.

Hopkins, who has insisted he’s innocent, has been behind bars awaiting trial since his October 2008 arrest, which came days after WRKO-AM (680) sacked the mid-morning host during a round of budget cuts.

Hopkins has maintained his innocence. He is charged with two counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/business/media/view.bg?articleid=1325817

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Ex-WRKO talk meister’s fate up to Big Apple jury

Ex-WRKO talk meister’s fate up to Big Apple jury
By Jessica Heslam  |   Tuesday, March 22, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Mike Adaskaveg

A New York City jury is expected to begin deliberations today in the child rape trial of ex-WRKO radio gabster Reese Hopkins, who has been behind bars for two and a half years, a spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney said.

The fallen host is accused of sexually molesting a pair of 11-year-old girls in his Manhattan apartment in 2004 and forcibly raping one of them.

Attorneys for both sides delivered their closing arguments yesterday in New York State Supreme Court, where the two alleged victims testified for the prosecution.

One of the girls was the daughter of Hopkins’ companion, the other was the girl’s best friend.

At the start of the trial, prosecutor Rachel Ferrari said Hopkins molested the young girls at his Big Apple digs. Hopkins later raped the daughter’s friend, according to the prosecutor.

Hopkins has maintained he’s innocent. His attorney, David Cohen, did not return a phone call yesterday but said during the trial that the charges were false.

Hopkins is charged with two counts of rape in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse in the second degree and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He faces up to 25 years in jail if convicted.

Hopkins was arrested in October 2008 — just days after WRKO-AM (680) cut him loose amid budget cuts.

The former yakker has claimed that he turned down a deal from prosecutors to be released on time served if he pleaded guilty to a lesser felony charge and registered as a sex offender.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1325126

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NYC prosecutor: former WRKO host Reese Hopkins abused 2 girls

NYC prosecutor: former WRKO host Reese Hopkins abused 2 girls
By Associated Press  |   Tuesday, March 8, 2011  |  http://www.bostonherald.com  |  Local Coverage

Photo by Herald (file)

NEW YORK — A Manhattan prosecutor says a former WRKO radio host who called himself the "Crossover Negro" sexually abused two 11-year-old girls in 2004 and forcibly raped one of them.

One of the girls was the daughter of radio personality Edward Maurice Hopkins’ companion and the other was her best friend.

Assistant District Attorney Rachel Ferrari said Tuesday Hopkins had the two girls masturbate him as he lay on his back in his Manhattan apartment and that he later raped the friend.

Hopkins’ attorney, David J. Cohen, said the charges were false.

Cohen said Hopkins was a good father figure to his companion’s two children, including the girl he is charged with abusing.

The two lawyers made opening statements Tuesday in Hopkins’ trial on rape and sexual abuse charges.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1321922

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