Man Accused of Faking Death to Evade Rape Charges Denies Identity in Utah Court

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A man facing rape charges in Utah appeared in court on Tuesday and vehemently denied that he is the suspect. Speaking in an apparent British accent, the accused, identified as Nicholas Rossi, dismissed allegations of providing false identity as “complete hearsay.”

Prosecutors have charged Nicholas Rossi, whose legal name is Nicholas Alahverdian, with the rape of a 21-year-old woman in Orem, Utah, in 2008. However, due to a backlog of DNA test kits at the Utah State Crime Lab, he was not identified as a suspect until nearly a decade later.

The 36-year-old Rossi was extradited from Scotland earlier this month. During his court appearance, he introduced himself as Arthur Knight Brown and provided a birthdate in British English format, which differs from Rossi’s. According to KSTU-TV, his speech was at times difficult to understand as he wore an oxygen mask.

Deputy Salt Lake County attorney Tamara Basuez informed the court that Rossi had not admitted his true name or birthdate since his return to Utah. In response, Rossi objected, referring to the attorney’s statement as “complete hearsay.”

Rossi’s Legal Battle and Conflicting Identities

Rossi, who is currently held without the possibility of bail in relation to the Orem case, will have a detention hearing on January 26. The judge assured Rossi that a lawyer would be appointed for him. Rossi claimed to already have legal representation, but his attorney did not receive notice of the Tuesday hearing.

Born and raised in foster homes in Rhode Island, Rossi gained recognition in the state as a vocal critic of the Department of Children, Youth and Families. In 2020, he made headlines when he claimed to have late-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma and had only weeks to live. An obituary published online even announced his death on February 29, 2020.

Prosecutors revealed that Rossi had used at least 10 different aliases over the years, further complicating his case. His run from the law ultimately came to an end in December 2021 when he was apprehended in Scotland. Rossi was recognized by someone at a Glasgow hospital while receiving treatment for COVID-19. Despite his protests, claiming to be an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight, authorities connected him to his true identity through fingerprints.

Extradition and Court Battle

Following a lengthy court 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.”

Rossi’s case continues to unfold, shedding light on a complex legal battle involving identity, accusations, and international extradition. As the judicial process progresses, more details are expected to emerge.

As the court proceedings continue, the accused faces the weight of the rape charges against him. The outcome of this case will have significant implications not only for the alleged victim but also for the broader legal landscape surrounding sexual assault cases in Utah.

With the extradition process complete, the focus now turns to the legal proceedings in Utah. The court will continue to evaluate the evidence and testimonies to determine the truth behind the allegations. The accused will have an opportunity to present his defense and provide any evidence to support his claims of innocence.

As the case unfolds, the public awaits further developments and a clearer understanding of the truth behind the accusations, the accused’s identity, and the alleged crime committed in Utah over a decade ago.