Published January 13, 2015
Trial is set to begin in Nevada for a Saudi Arabian air force sergeant accused of raping a 13-year-old boy last New Year's Eve at a Las Vegas Strip hotel.
Jury selection was nearly complete Friday morning in Las Vegas, with opening statements due to begin after noon.
Mazen Alotaibi (MAH'-zen ah-loh-TAY'-bee) has pleaded not guilty to nine felonies including kidnapping, sexual assault and lewdness with a child that could get him life in prison if he's convicted.
Alotaibi's defense lawyer, Don Chairez (shah-REZ'), maintains the boy offered sex for money and marijuana, and later lied to authorities.
Chairez says the 24-year-old Alotaibi was too drunk after a night drinking cognac at a strip club to understand what was happening, and should've been given a lawyer before police questioning.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/openings-set-in-vegas-trial-of-saudi-air-force-sergeant-accused-of-new-years-eve-child-rape