“Nicholas Rossi Denies Faking Death to Evade Rape Charges in Utah, Calls Accusations ‘Complete Hearsay'”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Man Accused of Faking death and Fleeing U.S. Denies Charges in Court Appearance

Salt Lake City, Utah – In a surprising turn of events, Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, appeared in court on Tuesday to deny allegations that he faked his death and fled the United States to avoid rape charges. Speaking in an apparent British accent, Rossi called the accusations “complete hearsay” and maintained his innocence.

Rossi, now 36 years old, is accused of raping 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. After being extradited from Scotland earlier this month, Rossi identified himself as Arthur Knight Brown and provided a birthdate in British English format, which differs from his actual birthdate.

During the court appearance, Rossi appeared via video from jail, wearing an oxygen mask. He did not enter a plea and was difficult to understand at times, often having to lift his mask to be heard. Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Tamara Basuez stated that Rossi has not admitted to his true identity or birthdate since returning to Utah.

Rossi is currently being held without the possibility of bail in the Orem case. A detention hearing has been scheduled for January 26th. The judge assured Rossi that a lawyer would be appointed for him, as his current attorney did not receive notice of Tuesday’s hearing.

Rossi, who grew up in foster homes in Rhode Island, gained attention in the state for his outspoken criticism of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. Four years ago, he claimed to have late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and only weeks to live. An obituary was even published online, stating that he had passed away on February 29th, 2020. However, authorities have discovered that Rossi used at least 10 different aliases over the years.

His run from the law finally came to an end when he was recognized by someone at a hospital in Glasgow, Scotland, while being treated for COVID-19. Rossi insisted that he was an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight and had never set foot on American soil. He alleged that authorities framed him by taking his fingerprints while he was in a coma, in order to connect him to the rape charges. Throughout his court appearances, Rossi has consistently used a wheelchair, an oxygen mask, and maintained the apparent British accent.

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

The case continues to captivate public attention as the truth behind Rossi’s alleged crimes and his multiple identities comes to light. The court will appoint a lawyer to represent Rossi, and further developments are expected in the coming weeks..