Man, accused of a string of rapes, defends himself in court

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

Moonie Moses paced in front of the jury today as he began his own defense in a trial on a string of kidnapping and rape charges. He referred to himself in the third person during his opening statement in Suffolk Superior Court.

"This man did not commit these offenses," Moses said, pointing to his empty chair at the defendant’s table. "He was someplace else."

Moses, 35, is accused of kidnapping two teenagers and a 32-year-old woman in Dorchester between July and September of 2002 and sexually assaulting them in his car. He was arrested after the woman fled and memorized his license plate number, prosecutors said.

Assistant District Attorney Leora Joseph rebutted Moses' claim that police arrested the wrong man, telling the jury that the victims have identified him as their attacker and that he has also been tied to the crimes by DNA.

The youngest alleged victim, a 13-year-old girl, took the stand after opening statements. She testified that Moses snatched her off Park Street in Dorchester on July 18, 2002, put a gun to her head, and forced her into his car. The girl said that after he raped her, Moses gave her $10. He told her to meet him the next day at Kentucky Fried Chicken because she needed a man to take care of her.

"No," the girl said she responded. "I just need my mom."

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