Rape suspect wants trial moved

An attorney representing one of two men accused of raping a 23-year-old Laconia woman five months ago is asking that court proceedings happen outside Belknap County on the premise that wide and biased news coverage is likely to taint the trial process and endanger his client's right to due process.

In a motion filed with Belknap County Superior Court last month, Attorney James Carroll of Westcott Millham and Dyer, also notes that the crimes alleged against his client, Douglas R. Jenot, are "conscience wrenching," and that an alleged confession he made to police was deemed to be so graphic that it was requested the documents not remain part of the public record.

In turn, Belknap County Deputy Attorney Wayne Coull argued that a change of venue is "an extreme remedy not warranted by the facts." In addition, he characterized a news article that is referred to in Carroll's motion as "hardly inflammatory."

Jenot, 21, of Gilmanton is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing today.

He is facing two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and one count of burglary in connection with a brutal rape that is alleged to have occurred around 3 a.m. on April 23 when two men are said to have broke down the door to a Pleasant Street apartment and repeatedly assaulted the young woman who was residing there.

Court records indicate the rapists pretended to be police officers at first, telling the woman that her sister was in trouble. When she refused to let them in, the pair kicked down the door.

Inside, they used a clothing article belonging to the woman to blindfold her and held a sharp object to her throat as they repeatedly forced themselves on her.

The rapists stole the young woman's vehicle after they were done and drove away, according to court documents.

The entire episode lasted about 2 1/2 hours.

According to an affidavit filed by Det. Jeffrey F. Stiegler of Laconia Police Department, Jenot apparently confessed to his father about his role in the attacks. The father told police his son was "intoxicated and high on drugs" when the crimes were committed, and that the crimes were suggested by the other suspect in the case, 21-year-old Stephen Goupil of Belmont.

Goupil is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing on Nov. 30. He was originally scheduled to go to trial this month, but that was continued on the grounds that he retained a new attorney who needed to get up to speed.

Representing Goupil in the case are Mark Sisti and Brian McEvoy.

Goupil is charged with five counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. Authorities are looking for enhanced penalties in because he was out on bail at the time of the alleged rape.

Both men were arrested in early May at their respective residences.

Police have said that Goupil and Jenot knew the rape victim's sister, who used to live in an apartment inside the same building.