Acting As Own Lawyer, Tampa Rape Suspect Tries To Blame Teen Girl

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Florida man convicted of raping ex-girlfriend’s daughter

Gloria Gomez reports

TAMPA, Fla – A Tampa man accused of raping a teenage girl more than two years ago has claimed he was the real victim, but jurors have not accepted Reco Johnson’s claims.

Johnson got cold feet at the last minute and decided not to testify in his own defense, but had a lot to say in closing arguments about his innocence.

“I’m not guilty of doing anything,” he insisted.

Johnson, who acts as his own lawyer, was accused of raping his ex-girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter while her mother was at work in April 2019.

The girl, now 18, told the jury about it. But what made it almost unbearable for her was having to answer questions from the man accused of raping her.

“When you said I walked into your room and you had your phone in hand, did you have a chance to call the police, register her, or call your mother?” Johnson asked the girl.

“No, I was too busy telling you to stop and push your hands away from me,” she replied.

Rapist questions teen accuser in court

A Tampa man is in court this week, defending himself on charges of sexual battery. On Monday, he came face to face with the alleged victim and his questions may have turned on the jury.

PREVIOUS: Man accused of raping teenage girl defends himself in court and interrogates alleged victim for over an hour

Prosecutor Jessica Couvertier said it was not a case she claimed. There was scientific evidence pointing directly to Johnson – “his specific DNA,” Couvertier said.

And she urged the jury not to sympathize with the accused.

“Mr Johnson has chosen to exercise his constitutional right and to represent himself. He does not get bonus points for that,” Couvertier argued.

In the end, Johnson put all the blame on the young girl, claiming she had caught him.

“I am the real victim and I should be found not guilty,” he said.

But the jury didn’t believe him and found him guilty of all counts, including lewd and lascivious sexual assault and bodily harm.

Johnson had no apparent reaction to reading the verdict. He will be sentenced in February 2022.

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