Twin Falls Man Convicted of UI Rape Seeks Overturn of Verdict

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) — A man convicted of raping a woman outside a University of Idaho fraternity house has asked that his conviction and 15-year sentence be dismissed. The Lewiston Tribune reports that Jesse M. Vierstra has filed a petition alleging that his attorneys, Charles E. Kovis and Benjamin M. Onosko, failed to "conduct a proper investigation" and weren't prepared for his March 2013 trial. Court records state that Vierstra, a former UI student, had attended a fraternity party at the university in October 2012.

The victim testified during the trial that Vierstra had held her down and raped her outside the building. Vierstra alleges that his attorneys failed to investigate the victim's allegations before the trial and didn't retain experts to review evidence. The prosecution hadn't filed a response as of Thursday.