A man has been slapped with a conviction for the sexual assault and kidnapping of a college student near Arizona State University's Tempe campus, an attack dating back to 2021. Eric T. Bell, 33, now faces a lengthy prison sentence of over 25 years, according to a recent verdict from Maricopa County Superior Court.
Details from FOX 10 Phoenix, tell the tale of the harrowing incident that took place at around 5 a.m. on October 17, 2021. Having been mistaken for a jogger by the victim, Bell grabbed her from behind, threatening her with a knife-like object. The student was dragged to an undisclosed location near the Packard parking structure where she was sexually assaulted, and then the assailant took off, leaving no weapon at the scene.
Bell's DNA, which was found at the scene, helped the police to collar him several days following the assault. In the subsequent trial, Bell decided to act as his defense, which Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said presented additional challenges for the prosecution. "These cases are already challenging enough, even when the defendant has his own lawyer," Mitchell stated in an interview obtained by 12 News. “When the defendant is representing himself, my lawyers must work doubly hard to ensure he doesn’t make mistakes that would jeopardize a conviction. I’m particularly proud of this team who took all that into account and still made sure he will go to prison where he belongs.”
The jury heard how the assailant fled, instructing the victim to count to 50 as he escaped. Surveillance footage also captured a man matching Bell's description trailing behind the victim around the time of the attack. Scheduled to receive his sentence on May 9, Bell's conviction was a result of a tireless effort by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office
