American Rape Suspect Accused of Faking Death to Evade Charges Refuses to Appear in Court

An American rape suspect, who allegedly faked his own death in an attempt to avoid charges, has declined to attend his latest court hearing.

Nicholas Rossi, a 36-year-old man, was extradited from Edinburgh earlier this month after a lengthy legal battle during which he claimed to be a victim of mistaken identity.

During his initial court appearance in the United States after the extradition from Scotland on January 17, Rossi persisted in his assertion that he is an Irish orphan named Arthur Knight.

On Monday, Judge Derek Pullan of Utah’s Fourth District Court was informed that Rossi would not be appearing via video link from prison.

A new court date of February 6 has been scheduled for his appearance.

Judge Pullan stated that if Rossi is not ill on that date, he will authorize the use of reasonable force to ensure his attendance.

Previously, Rossi appeared via video link at the Third District Court in Utah.

Rossi first came to the attention of authorities when he was identified at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow in December 2021, where he was receiving treatment for Covid-19, using the name Arthur Knight.

He was apprehended after his distinctive tattoos were recognized.

Months of court proceedings in Edinburgh ensued, and in November 2022, Sheriff Norman McFadyen determined that the man claiming to be Arthur Knight was indeed Nicholas Rossi, the individual sought by US authorities for extradition.

An extradition hearing was held in June 2023, during which Sheriff McFadyen ruled that there were no obstacles preventing Rossi’s extradition.

Prosecutors in Utah have charged Rossi with the rape of a 21-year-old woman in 2008.

Rossi was not identified as a suspect until approximately ten years later due to a backlog of DNA test kits at the state’s crime lab.