By Cathy Locke
clocke@sacbee.com
A man accused of putting a knife to his girlfriend's neck and raping her in front of her 2-year-old child has been convicted by a Sacramento Superior Court jury.
Vernon Medler, 20, today was found guilty of two counts of rape, domestic violence, criminal threats, false imprisonment and child endangerment.
Medler and the victim were boyfriend and girlfriend, and got into and argument after Medler found a Valentine's day card that was sent to the victim by an ex-boyfriend, according to a Sacramento County District Attorney's Office news release.
Believing that the relationship was going to end, Medler raped the victim while her family was in the home, telling her that if she screamed he would kill her and her family, officials said. The victim did not immediately tell her family about the rape because she feared for her safety and theirs.
Less than 24 hours after the first rape, Medler raped the victim a second time, putting a knife to her neck and saying he would kill her. These acts were committed in front of her child.
After the second incident, the victim told her mother about the rapes and law enforcement officials were notified.
"Rape is an illegal under any circumstance, even if a victim is in a relationship with the attacker at the time of the crime," Deputy District Attorney Carlton Davis said in a written statement. "I commend this victim for not remaining silent and thank the district attorney victim advocates for their hard work in these cases."
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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