Accident – death – Obituary News :

Man Accused of Faking His death Denies Charges in Utah Court Appearance

A man who allegedly faked his death and fled the United States to avoid rape charges in Utah appeared in court on Tuesday to deny the allegations against him. In an unexpected turn of events, the man, who identified himself as Arthur Knight Brown, spoke in an apparent British accent and dismissed claims that he was not using his true name as “complete hearsay.”

Charges and Identification

The suspect, Nicholas Rossi, also known legally as Nicholas Alahverdian, is charged with the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Orem, Utah, back in 2008. However, he was not identified as a suspect until a decade later due to a backlog of DNA test kits at the Utah State Crime Lab.

Rossi, now 36 years old, was extradited from Scotland earlier this month. During his court appearance, he provided a different name, Arthur Knight Brown, and a birthdate in British English format, which differed from his previous legal identity.

Court Appearance and Plea

Appearing via video from jail, Rossi, wearing an oxygen mask, did not enter a plea during the initial court hearing. His speech was at times difficult to understand, requiring him to lift his mask to be heard.

Deputy Salt Lake County attorney, Tamara Basuez, stated that Rossi has not admitted to his true name or birthdate since his return to Utah. However, Rossi objected to these claims in court, dismissing them as “complete hearsay.”

Jail and Detention Hearing

Currently, Rossi is detained without the possibility of posting bail in relation to the Orem case. The judge scheduled a detention hearing for January 26. Furthermore, the judge assured Rossi that a lawyer would be appointed for him, as he claimed to already have one who was not notified of the hearing.

Past Controversies

Rossi, who grew up in foster homes in Rhode Island, gained attention in the state for his vocal criticism of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Four years ago, he made headlines by claiming to have late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and stating that he had only weeks to live. An obituary even listed his supposed date of death as February 29, 2020.

Prosecutors revealed that Rossi had used at least 10 different aliases throughout the years, adding to the complexity of his case.

Arrest and Extradition

Authorities finally apprehended Rossi in December 2021 when he was recognized by someone at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was receiving treatment for COVID-19. Despite his claims of being an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, Rossi was arrested and brought back to the United States.

Throughout his court appearances, Rossi has consistently presented himself in a wheelchair, wearing an oxygen mask, and speaking with an apparent British accent. He alleges that authorities framed him by obtaining his fingerprints while he was in a coma to connect him to the charges.

Extradition Ruling

After a prolonged legal battle, Judge Norman McFadyen of Edinburgh Sheriff Court ruled in August that Rossi’s extradition could proceed. The judge described Rossi as “dishonest and deceitful” and noted his evasive and manipulative behavior.

The case continues to generate interest as Rossi’s court appearances reveal new twists and turns. With further hearings scheduled and legal representation appointed, the full scope of the allegations against him will be examined in due course.

.