Bail has been rejected for a man who claims he is not the suspected rapist sought by American authorities but rather the mistaken identification victim.
The 35-year-old, who Utah courts have identified as fugitive Nicholas Rossi, is contesting an extradition request from police who claim he sexually assaulted women in other parts of the country and raped a 21-year-old there.
The individual, whose name he gives as Arthur Knight, claims to have never visited the United States.
He appeared via video connection on Thursday at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, but the court was informed that his requests for bail release up to the main hearing on November 7 were refused.
Before the hearing on Thursday, the defendant’s motion had been denied, according to advocate deputy Paul Harvey.
“Bail has been rejected at the Sheriff Appeal Court, and he will be in jail for this procedure,” Sheriff Kenneth Maciver said.
The suspected fugitive attempted to grab the court’s attention for the majority of the 11-minute session by holding his hand in the air.
He added, “My lord I have,” in an effort to address Sheriff Maciver at the conclusion, but court personnel shut off the live video from HMP Edinburgh before he could finish.
The individual allegedly had photos of his tattoos taken to show the court his true identity during a prior hearing.
The 35-year-old attorney, old David Kinloch, informed Sheriff Maciver on Thursday that while his client underwent testing, the defense team is still awaiting findings and has not yet received the report.
He said that efforts to get access to his client’s medical records had made progress.
On November 7, a thorough hearing will occur, the court was informed.