Rape charge reduced to misdemeanor in Verona man's case
STAUNTON — A man charged with rape last year had his felony charge reduced to a misdemeanor last week, nixing a jury trial scheduled for Thursday in Staunton Circuit Court.
In May 2021, authorities arrested Patrick Austin Good, 28, of Verona, on the rape charge after a woman alleged she was sexually assaulted numerous times, according to the Staunton Police Department.
After being indicted by the Staunton grand jury in October, a jury trial on the felony charge was scheduled for Thursday. Austin Good had been free on bond pending trial.
But on July 14, Austin Good pleaded no contest in Staunton Circuit Court to the misdemeanor charge of sexual battery. A no contest plea does not admit guilt but acknowledges there is enough evidence to prosecute.
Staunton Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Joseph Perry said a lack of physical evidence in the case was one factor that led to the rape charge being amended to misdemeanor sexual battery.
The case was deferred until July 2024, meaning Austin Good can have the misdemeanor charge dismissed if he remains in good standing with the court for the next two years.
Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton rape charge amended to misdemeanor
